Name: Helina ChanHailing from: Born in Shanghai, grew up in Hong Kong, migrated to Singapore now its citizen Presides over: iPRECIATION Gallery in SingaporeGallery’s specialty: Hong Kong, China, and Singapore art Artists represented: Ju Ming, Gao Xingjian, Irene Chou, Tse Yim On, Ye Jianqing, Milenko Prvacki, Lee Wen, Tay Bak Chiang, Boo Sze Yang Your next big exhibition?We’ve just opened Ju Ming's Living World Series exhibition in a Chengdu mall. It's going to be a traveling show featuring the sculptor master's works from the Living World Series, such as Lining Up, Parachute, Swimming, Skirt Story, Shopping, Resting and Treasure. The aim is to share the artist's works with the general public. First stop: Chengdu IFS shopping mall where the opening ceremony was just held. The next stop is Chongqing Times Square, followed by Dalian Times Square, and then Shanghai Times Square and Shanghai Wheelock Square. Each exhibition will last about 6 weeks and is organized in collaboration with Wharf Properties (HK). (Click on the slideshow to see some photos of this exhibitions).In Singapore, our next exhibition will be Milenko Prvački's new solo show next month. He has beautiful new works, and Tony Godfrey has written an essay on these works, and we will also be featuring his recent works created during his artist residency in Santa Monica LA in February this year.When did you decide to start a gallery?It was in Hong Kong in 1994. I actually joined a friend to start a gallery there called Artpreciation, but after the 1997 handover back to China, I migrated to Singapore and decided to open the current gallery there in 1999.Who was the first artist you chose to represent?After I moved to Singapore, I reconnected with Hong Kong artist Cheung Yee by chance in 1998. He wanted to do a show here and I helped conceptualize an exhibition for him at the Alliance Française. Although it was meant to be a one-off show, it became the start of a representational relationship.How did you develop your program?In the early years, we showed works by Hong Kong and Chinese artists I knew. I was privileged to be recommended to artists Ju Ming (Taiwanese sculptor) and Gao Xingjian (French-Chinese Nobel Laureate writer and artist). Then I started showing Singaporean artists in 2012.What was the greatest challenge in the first years?Finding an exhibition venue and organizing a show without an office and without assistants.What would you do differently today?I would still do the same.Do you still remember your first big triumph?As a fan of public art, I wanted to do large-scale sculpture shows. So I knocked on the doors of the Singapore Art Museum and succeeded in co-organizing a blockbuster show in 2004 that featured Ju Ming’s sculptures in the museum, on Orchard Road, and at Changi Airport. This effort was recognized when I was awarded the Singapore Tourism Board’s 2005 New Tourism Entrepreneur of the Year award.Which criteria are important for you when deciding whether or not to represent an artist?My key criteria are that the artist’s work has to have originality and it has to be more difficult than decorative. It is also important to me that the artist means business and is serious about wanting to succeed. They would be people I like and like to hold hands with for the journey.How has the art market changed since you’ve entered the business?There are more people interested in art today. There is more curiosity and openness to works by local artists. But many Singaporean and Asian collectors still tend to buy with their ears and looking on the future (i.e. as an investment) rather than buying with their eyes and their heart.What does a good gallerist need to be able to do?One needs to have genuine intentions towards the artists and their works, and be able to communicate with them the gallery’s plans so that they can decide if they want to walk with us on this journey. A good gallerist also needs to have vision and boldness to do exhibitions that have never been done before, beyond just selling artworks.And what should a good gallerist never do?You should never be afraid of having a strong opinion about art, the artists, and the works.What was the last piece of art that thoroughly impressed you and why?The abstract works of Richter Gerhard. They were just mesmerizing.Which era in art history would you like to time travel to if you could?Art Deco in the 1920s-1930sWhich historical figure would you like to share a drink with and where?Grace Kelly! Anywhere really…If you weren’t a gallerist, you’d probably be….An investor. I think I may have pretty good gut instincts about the market and financial world so I would like to put it to the test…Art is….Something that can truly inspire, provoke, calm, or rejuvenate a person from within.
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