Where in Singapore can you buy affordable art for your home? How do you know what to look for? Should you choose a big painting or photograph, or look at several smaller pieces? Artwork can be added to your home easily, and it can turn four bare walls into a homely and interesting space but it sometimes feels difficult making the right choice. We spoke to some experts who have an eye for art and asked them how to help you choose the perfect piece for you.
Photography by Sandra Macheroux
The stunning images captured by Sandra Macheroux show Singapore during both the night and day. From the colourful shophouses of Joo Chiat and Emerald Hill, to sparkling evening cityscapes, her pieces are everlasting reminders of our eclectic city.
What are your two top tips for readers who may be considering buying art?
* It should be a long-term investment. Many of my clients are expats, and it’s important for them to think about where the piece could be displayed when they leave Singapore. If you have a house back home and a spot in mind, I can create a custom print that suits that space.
* If you’re buying art or prints for your current rental property, maybe consider getting two or three smaller pieces that are compatible and can be arranged in different configurations or even split to different parts of the home once you relocate.
What services do you offer your customers to help them choose the right piece?
I’m only an email or a WhatsApp message away. I like to work closely with my clients to help them to choose the right piece. Yet some people really can’t decide until they have seen something in the flesh and even touched it.
What’s the most unusual request you have ever received?
I don’t get too many unusual requests, as the use of photography is endless. Being asked by a male stranger whether I offer nude photography services was a bit awkward! A simple ‘NO!’ got my message across effectively!
What price do your pieces start from?
My art starts at $159 for a 60cm-wide print in a roll (which requires custom framing) on French photographic paper. Prints on canvas in a roll start at $250. The prints are presented on different materials, including canvas, photographic paper and aluminum.
680 Upper Thomson Road (by appointment only)
9859 4501 | macheroux.photography
Soul & Tables
Soul & Tables stock the Notre Monde collection of handmade trays that work perfectly as an unusual wall decoration. They’re all original handcrafted creations from Dawn Sweitzer, who works with a group of artisans in Indonesia to create pieces using traditional printing and hand-finishing techniques.
What are your two top tips for readers who may be considering buying art?
* Find the right balance. Ensure the combination you have in mind isn’t too large or too small in relation to the space you have. Don’t be afraid to overlap pieces; our Notre Monde trays look better when layered, as it gives a 3D effect.
* Don’t limit yourself to hanging pieces directly onto walls. And, if you have a large piece, consider leaning it against the wall for a more relaxed and contemporary look.
What services do you offer your customers to help them choose the right piece?
We offer suggestions on combinations on our website and catalogue. We also have the full collection on display in our showrooms so clients can mix and match our display pieces to see how the combinations work.
What’s the most unusual request you have ever received?
The wonderful thing about our Notre Monde collection is that there is no such thing as unusual requests!
What price do your pieces start from?
These beautiful handmade pieces are priced from $45 for the mini trays and $150 for regular-sized trays.
#02-01/#02-03 Tan Boon Liat Building
315 Outram Road
9272 1545 | soulandtables.com.sg
Art and Abode
Art and Abode stocks a wide range of art, from original fine art in oil and acrylic to fine art prints. They are the exclusive stockiest in Singapore for Digigraphie by Epson, which involves the digital reproduction of an original work of art or photography. The Art and Abode ‘Originals’ collection is created by the founder of the company, and all pieces are unique or limited-edition.
What are your two top tips for our readers who may be considering buying art?
* We encourage our customers to look carefully at their space, style and colours.
* Most importantly, they should follow their hearts. Most artwork is purchased because the customer falls in love with an image or a composition of colours. It’s very personal.
What services do you offer your customers to help them choose the right piece?
When customers hesitate, we ask them to show us photos of the space in which the artwork will be placed. We can help them consider different options according to their style, colours and the size of the wall area. If a customer needs us to go to their residence to help them choose their art, we do this on a consultancy basis.
What’s the most unusual request you have ever received?
Sometimes we have strange, fantasist or weird requests but we do our best to make all our customers happy!
What price do your pieces start from?
We have artwork to satisfy everyone’s budget.
#05-04 Citilink Warehouse Complex
102E Pasir Panjang Road
9062 0376 | artandabode.com
Talking Textiles
Deborah McKellar from Talking Textiles creates mixed media artworks. Her original creations include abstract washes of paint, silkscreen printed images, hand painting, fabric appliqué, gold leafing and stitch work. Deborah takes inspiration from the streets of Singapore and crafts unique, colourful art.
What are your two top tips for readers who may be considering buying art?
* Only select artworks that you personally feel connected to, a story you can relate to or a piece you enjoy every time you look at it. Like a good piece of music, an artwork should grow on you as you continue to notice fresh details.
* Small spaces don’t mean you need small artworks. A large artwork in a small lounge can make the space look bigger, bolder and more contemporary.
What services do you offer your customers to help them choose the right piece?
When customers purchase artworks from me, they normally come to my studio for a viewing. This is helpful, as I can show them around my space and explain more about how I create the artworks and the stories behind them. I think this personal contact with the artist is always more meaningful.
What is the most unusual request you have ever received?
Recently, I was commissioned to create artworks in an Art Deco style for The Capitol Kempinski Hotel. While I don’t normally create pieces in this style, the more unusual aspect was they were to be placed in the bathroom, just above the toilet! In the end, they did enhance a normally dull area and they added to the luxurious look of the rooms.
What price do your pieces start from?
Our original artworks range in price from $800 to $12,000, while prints are $185 to $650.
34 Kuo Chuan Avenue (by appointment only)
9107 4409 | talkingtextiles.asia
LivingwithArt Singapore Gallery
The flagship Living With Art gallery in the Tan Boon Liat Building comprises more than 2,000 works of art ranging from Chinese brushstroke to modern, abstract and contemporary pieces, plus vases and sculptures. Walk around the space, and you’ll see colourful Murano glasswork alongside local and international artists’ textural pieces, photography art, large traditional canvases, triptychs, and bronze and marble sculptures. This is original art sourced from a pool of local and international artists.
What are your two top tips for readers who may be considering buying art?
* Never underestimate the size of your space and wall.
* Invest in art that brings delight every time you see it.
What services do you offer your customers to help them choose the right piece?
We help source art from over 50 artists in our portfolio, and then we prepare drafts and digitally place them on our customers’ walls so it’s easy to visualise and make a decision.
What’s the most unusual request you’ve ever received?
One particular customer wanted her art to be painted by a male artist of a specific age. Of course, since we have a portfolio of over 50 artists, we were able to achieve this for her easily!
What price do your pieces start from?
We sell unlimited prints from $150, but an exclusive original piece by an international award-winning artist can go for as much as $36,000.
#02-05 Tan Boon Liat Building
315 Outram Road
6917 6503 | livingwithart.com.sg
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