Launching at the third edition of ART SG in 2025, the SAM ART SG Fund will allocate SGD $150,000 for acquiring artworks by leading and emerging artists at the international art fair. These acquisitions will become part of SAM’s permanent collection, reinforcing the museum’s role as a node for contemporary art and contribute to a culture of philanthropy within Singapore. The Fund is made possible through the generous contributions of arts patrons Carmen Yixuan Li, Pure Yichun Chen, and other anonymous donors, with advisory support from Zong Han, Cultural Strategist, and Shuyin Yang, Fair Director ART SG.

This initiative reflects a strong commitment to enhancing the museum’s international collection while fostering meaningful and enduring partnerships between its founding patrons, the Singapore Art Museum, and ART SG. It also represents a significant contribution to the growth and vibrancy of Singapore’s arts ecosystem.

Recurring annually for an initial commitment period of three years, the Fund will support SAM’s acquisition of significant artworks at each edition of ART SG. Following their acquisition, artworks will be made available for public viewing through SAM’s exhibition programming. This dedicated effort highlights the commitment of participating donors and all involved parties to fostering visual arts education and expanding public access to art in Singapore.

Eugene Tan, CEO and Director, Singapore Art Museum, said: “This initiative will grow the breadth of SAM’s collection and strengthen our commitment to collecting works by international artists that engage meaningfully with global and regional discourses. We thank our patrons and partners for supporting the growth of our collection to benefit our audiences.”

Shuyin Yang, Fair Director, ART SG, added: “We are honoured to realise the SAM ART SG Fund launching at the third edition of ART SG, through the generous support of our patrons. This initiative will significantly broaden the fair’s impact within Singapore’s art and culture landscape, fostering connections between artists, galleries and institutions, and supporting the expansion of Singapore Art Museum’s collection of international art, alongside its world-class Southeast Asian permanent collection.”

Magnus Renfrew, Co-Founder, ART SG, said: “The inauguration of the SAM ART SG Fund is an important indicator of Singapore’s increasing importance as a cultural hub within Asia Pacific. ART SG is thrilled to see this ambitious project come to fruition, and eagerly support its role in bolstering the local ecosystem and create a legacy for generations to come.”

The following works have been acquired for the permanent collection of Singapore Art Museum through the SAM ART SG Fund 2025:  

Kim Yun Shin (b. 1935, Wonsan, North Korea; lives and works in Seoul)
Add Two Add One Divide Two Divide One 2023-6, 2023
Chinese mahogany
115 x 23 x 24 cm
Lehmann Maupin, BC07, ART SG

Kapwani Kiwanga (b. 1978, Hamilton, Canada; lives and works between Paris and Canada)
Magma, 2024
Handmade ceramic tiles, acrylic paint, rope, metal profile, gold leaf and wood frame
135.7 x 115.5 x 9.5 cm
Goodman Gallery, BA06, ART SG

Lêna Bùi (b. 1985, Danang, Vietnam; lives and works in Saigon, Vietnam)
Breathing no.2, 2024
Ink and watercolour painting on silk and archival paper
122 x 82 x 6 cm (framed)
Galerie Urs Meile, BA02, ART SG

The selection of works acquired at this year’s SAM ART SG Fund reflects SAM’s continued efforts to expand its collection beyond the region and establish dialogues with global contemporary practices and discourse. The selection of works for acquisition, notably of three female artists of diverse cultural backgrounds and across different generations, foregrounds the role of female artists in global art practice whose works put forth varied ways to perceive and consider our connection to nature and culture. 

The SAM ART SG Fund, which launched this year at ART SG, is an annual initiative supporting the acquisition of artworks by leading and emerging artists for the permanent collection of Singapore Art Museum. The Fund, which allocated SGD $150,000, is made possible through the generous contributions of arts patrons Carmen Yixuan Li, Pure Yichun Chen, and other anonymous donors. Evincing substantial dedication to the museum’s collection as well as Singapore’s vibrant arts ecosystem, the Fund seeks to bolster visual arts education and expand public access to art through future displays of the works. 

Eugene Tan, CEO and Director of Singapore Art Museum, said: “We are thrilled to welcome these remarkable works by artists from diverse regions, backgrounds, and generations into our collection. These acquisitions reflect our commitment to building a collection that inspires our audiences, fostering a deeper appreciation for contemporary art. We look forward to further cultivating this partnership and enriching the SAM collection with works from future editions.”

Shuyin Yang, Director of ART SG, said: “We are delighted with the inaugural acquisition of the SAM ART SG Fund. The three artworks, whose acquisition the Fund made possible, are curatorially significant works, and I am excited to see them become part of the permanent collection of Singapore Art Museum, to further enrich their exhibition-making and the diversity of Singapore’s cultural offerings.”  

Magnus Renfrew, Co-Founder of ART SG, added: “With this new initiative, the SAM ART SG Fund has further strengthened ties between the fair, its participating gallery, key arts patrons and local institutions, truly championing a connected and dynamic arts landscape within Singapore. We look forward to our continued collaborations with everyone involved over the coming years.”

ART SG 2025 runs from 16th to 19th January 2025. Tickets and more information available here.