Fine art in Southeast Asia: the role of logistics in a fast-growing market

A recent article in the South China Morning Post notes that Singapore’s art scene is on the right track, as it vies to be the number one art market in Southeast Asia.

It follows the recent success of Art SG 2024 – the second edition of the fast-growing Singapore art fair – along with other positive signs: the success that both regional and international galleries had at this year’s fair, the increasing number of private exhibitions and permanent art spaces popping up, and Singapore cementing its reputation as a wealth management powerhouse are all signs that it’s on the right course.

Hong Kong’s historical success in the art world demonstrates that opportunities are rising in this corner of the globe. But with Singapore growing closer to achieving its aim of becoming a major center for visual arts, there is an increasingly important role for the specialist handling and logistics of this valuable art.

Good logistics underpins the success of any industry or market. Whether it’s getting perishable, consumable goods to point of sale quickly and well within their best before date, or whether ensuring car parts arrive at factories at the optimal time for production line assembly, how things move, where they’re stored, the way they’re preserved and how quickly they arrive, can be the difference between commercial success, or failure.

The logistics of art is largely the same, except it requires additional layers of quality control and care. It also demands passion and expertise.

Art needs to be stored when it’s not on display; that requires secure warehouses that won’t cause pieces to degrade.

Art works need to be moved from gallery to buyer, exhibition to storage, storage to auction house; this necessitates careful, diligent handling at every step of the process – it’s precious, precious cargo.

Fine art needs to be installed at the point of display; this requires attention to detail, consideration for lighting, room temperature and more.

There is an increasing requirement, too, for all of these steps to be undertaken sustainably.

Without this, a market can’t begin to flourish; good logistics facilitates the display, it protects pieces from damage, it provides security, and offers preservation.

To truly realize its ambitions, Singapore’s art market stakeholders will be reliant on the expertise of art logistics organizations, that help deliver art from A to B.

Crown Fine Art, with nearly 60 years of experience and expertise in the art logistics field, offers storage, packaging, transportation, and installation services in Southeast Asia.

We have been moving art around the world for decades, and currently have significant operations in London and the UAE, where we play a crucial role, working with museums, galleries and private collectors.

In Singapore, our business has systems certifications for quality management, information management security and environmental management, an ABS OSPAR certification. We are also members of the Singapore Logistics Association.

In Hong Kong, we operate a GRASP-certified facility in Hong Kong, fitted with a customized specialist racking system in climate-controlled storage spaces with 24/7 CCTV monitoring.

We have the passion, experience and tools to play a significant role in Singapore’s prospering art market, working with private collectors and exhibitors to capitalize on the growing opportunities that this region presents.