Magnus Renfrew has twenty years? experience in the international art world, the last decade of which have been spent in Asia
In an exclusive interview with the Co-Founder of Singapore’s Art SG, Magnus Renfrew talks about the secret of a successful art fair in Southeast Asia and what the future of art fairs will look like
LUX: Do you think Singapore will become an art and/or cultural hub for Southeast Asia" Why did you choose Singapore rather than (for example) Bangkok, Jakarta, or KL"
Magnus Renfrew: Each city is unique with individual strengths and spheres of influence. Singapore is the gateway to Southeast Asia and as the de facto hub for the region, which has a population of 650 million people nearing the size of Europe, so logic dictates that it too should host an international art fair to serve a region that has some of the fastest growing economies in the world. What?s more, Southeast Asia has a diverse and exciting range of cultural ecosystems, and we want to bring together these communities alongside the international art world. Singapore has exceptional infrastructure and transport links, great hotels and restaurants, English is commonly spoken, Mandarin is commonly spoken. All these factors make it an exceptional place to host a major international art fair. Furthermore, Singapore has a strong local art scene, with local galleries and considerable government investment in art and culture, which sees an active interest in growing the ecosystem in th...