Buying Art vs Collecting Art@Art Seasons

The talk will explore the differences between buying art for personal enjoyment and collecting art as an asset. Theresa will examine with you, what drives the value of art - from emotional connection to the potential for long-term investment.

Theresa Tan is a member of the UK’s Association for Art History. She holds a Master of Arts in Asian Art Histories (Distinction) from Goldsmiths, University of London, and a Bachelor of Science (Computer and Information Sciences) from the National University of Singapore.

Talk is held inconjunction with ”Estetika Timur - Rentas Sempadan” (Eastern Aesthetics - Cross Border) - an Awang Damit Ahmad solo exhibition presented by ART SEASONS and Henry Butcher Art Auctioneers (HBAA). The exhibition ends on 14 December 2024.

ABOUT AWANG DAMIT AHMAD

Awang Damit Ahmad (1956) is one of Malaysia’s foremost contemporary artists. His work is deeply rooted in his personal experiences, cultural background, and the broader Malaysian socio-political landscape. His journey as an artist began with a formal education in the arts at Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM) in the late 1970s. His transition into the art world was marked by the intersection of traditional Malaysian culture with modernist concerns, a thematic focus that would later culminate in his renowned Essence of Culture (EOC) series and later to his Estetika Timur series.

Estetika Timur – Rentas Sempadan (Eastern Aesthetics - Cross Border) series emphasises Eastern aesthetics, but not merely in a superficial or ornamental sense. It reflects an engagement with the cultural and philosophical traditions of the East, particularly in the context of Malaysia’s diverse and pluralistic society. The artworks are rooted in a reflective self-referential experience, representing a journey that captures the essence of a farmer's humble livelihood. Through the principles of simplicity, harmony, and balance, these works balance figuration and abstraction, exhibiting a dynamic range between the intimate and expressionistic, as well as the intellectual and intuitive. The artworks explore fundamental human values, alongside broader societal, cultural, and environmental concerns, informed by rigorous research, personal experiences, and memory. Collectively, they form an ongoing artistic exploration, continually seeking deeper meaning and value in life.

Event Venue & Nearby Stays

Art Seasons, 50 Genting Lane, Singapore, Singapore