Even though art reflects its creator’s inner world, an art lover’s collection certainly holds more secrets. As Richard Koh can attest, showing his collection was a deeply personal experience.
Presented by The Private Museum, “Of Dreams and Contemplation: I am All but a Story – Collection of Richard Koh”, showcases his interactions with contemporary art and artists. It runs until 9 March this year.
For over two decades, the founder of Richard Koh Fine Art (RKFA) has helped shape the South-east Asian art market. His galleries in Singapore, Bangkok, and Kuala Lumpur, showcase contemporary artists from the region and the rest of the world.
“Of Dreams and Contemplation” recalls significant moments in his life and how they reflect his passions and emotions. The monochrome acrylic ‘Black is the New White’ by Malaysian artist Yeoh Choo Kuan, for example, reflects his love of travel. The painting is reminiscent of traditional Chinese landscapes and recalls Koh’s visit to Huashan in Shaanxi Province in China.
The collection also features typography-style works by contemporary artists Ugo Li, Ramon Enrich, and Samuel Xun. Koh explains that Enrich’s acrylic painting, ‘Lies’, where the word appears on a red canvas with a white cloth hanging off the top edge of the frame, is a commentary on the fact that lies can never be completely erased.
Koh’s wish is that the exhibition will spark a heightened appreciation of art. “I want to encourage audiences to shed their preconceptions around collecting art and inspire them to establish their own entry points, viewing the passion of collecting with a fresh lens of accessibility, affinity, and awe.”
What sparked your love of art?
Since my school days, I’ve had a fascination with art. When I lived in London, I enjoyed going to museums and exhibitions. Art ignites an emotional response because it is often unpredictable or difficult to describe. It also increases my passion for it even more.
What made you decide to start RKFA, and focus on South-east Asian art?
I started RKFA after several artists asked why not open a gallery? When I worked in interior design, I encouraged my clients to collect art, so transitioning to representing artists was a natural step. Of course, creating a gallery hasn’t been easy, but it has been rewarding.
Being from Malaysia, it was natural for me to focus on South-east Asia. At that time, there wasn’t a gallery championing artists from the region. Most focused on promoting artists from within their home countries, and I saw an opportunity to create a regional platform for emerging artists.
What factors do you consider when choosing artists for your galleries?
We examine how each artist integrates the local visual language into the broader regional narrative. In South-east Asia, there are diverse geographies, but there are also many similarities.
We are open-minded and willing to take chances, particularly on young, emerging artists, what I call “supporting the underdogs”. We have often worked with relatively unknown artists to give them a regional or international platform, so wider audiences and collectors can discover them.
What is the story behind “Of Dreams and Contemplation”, and what is the curation process like?
It is the second instalment. My first exhibition in 2019 offered a glimpse of my collecting philosophy. The second expands on this with a greater breadth and depth.
Having so many pieces on display makes sharing such a personal collection seem more intimidating. It’s like putting your inner self out there. In addition to being snapshots of my life, they also contain narratives of identity, memory, and transformation set against the backdrop of this modern age.
“In addition to being snapshots from my life, they also contain narratives of identity, memory, and transformation set against the backdrop of this modern age.”
Is there a style or medium that you gravitate towards?
My collection includes paintings, sculptures, and installations. I don’t have a particular preference for styles or mediums, but I collaborated with John Tung on this exhibition at The Private Museum.
An essay he wrote discusses text and language, layers of construction, history, and self-awareness in the collection. It represents the convergence of art, identity, and history, and how they are reconciled with the complexities of our time.
What are the main takeaways for visitors?
I hope the exhibition will encourage viewers to rethink what collecting art means, moving away from that mainstream perception that it’s a flashy pursuit meant only for the wealthy.
You don’t have to collect works by a famous artist or their most expensive and important works to collect art. You can collect for your pleasure, assembling memories and emotions that are unique to you.
In addition, it is okay to start collecting anywhere, with something small, something you love, or even just saying yes to a work of art when it sparks an emotional response.
What does your art collection say about you as an art lover and gallery owner?
It reveals my life’s ups and downs, my dreams, my aspirations, and where the journey has taken me so far. I often compare my collection to a visual diary or biography.
In a way, it speaks more about me as an art lover as I amassed the pieces intuitively over time. The collection has no strategy or direction, which illustrates how diverse collecting can be. The joy of creating a collection comes in a variety of forms.
Photos: Richard Koh Fine Art
