Art Basel’s Parent Company, MCH Group to Become Minority Owner of ART SG in Singapore

MCH Group (Basel/Switzerland), the parent company of Art Basel, announces it is taking a 15% stake in Art Events Singapore, the organizer of ART SG, the new art fair for Southeast Asia. Taking place during Singapore Art Week, ART SG, whose lead partner is UBS, will be launched on 12-15 January 2023 at the Marina Bay Sands Expo and Convention Centre. It will present some 100 leading international galleries, as well as installations, films, talks and performances. 

“We will establish a distinctive identity for ART SG which reflects Singapore’s natural role as a regional hub and as a gateway to Southeast Asia. With positive commitment from an overwhelming number of the world’s leading galleries, we are looking forward to welcoming many who will exhibit in Singapore for the first time, alongside the very best galleries of Singapore and Southeast Asia. Fostering artistic excellence and cultural dialogue across Southeast Asia and the broader Asia Pacific region is central to ART SG’s mission, and we are delighted to have the support of MCH Group whose experience and network will benefit these ambitions,” said Magnus Renfrew Co-Founder of ART SG.

Co-Founder of ART SG Sandy Angus continued, “Singapore’s position as both a dynamic cultural destination, and a leading global centre of private wealth management, has continued to thrive in recent years. We are confident that our team’s experience, network and long-standing commitment to the region, alongside the rapidly developing market appetite across Southeast Asia, provide the perfect opportunity to launch ART SG. We are delighted that MCH Group shares our vision for ART SG.”

MCH Group engages with ART SG as part of the company’s wider strategy to foster the thriving cultural ecosystems across the region. Through supporting regional initiatives, it is the company’s aim to contribute to the long-term strength of Asia’s growing art scenes and make a positive impact in the region, which is seen as complementary to the core business of running Art Basel in Hong Kong.

Adeline Ooi, Director Asia of Art Basel, explains, “ART SG is characterized by professional expertise and compelling concepts. With our participation in ART SG, we can make a further contribution to encouraging the creation, experience and understanding of contemporary art in Asia beyond Art Basel in Hong Kong, as we do in a different way through our support of S.E.A. Focus in Singapore and Art Week Tokyo.” 

The launch of ART SG had to be postponed several times due to the Covid-19 pandemic. “We are convinced of the successful launch of the new art fair in January 2023 and are delighted that we are in a position to be able to support it,” states Beat Zwahlen, CEO of MCH Group. “Our participation in ART SG will contribute equally to strengthening the art market and our position in this attractive geographical area.”

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