A first-edition print from a young artist. An heirloom painting passed down the generations. A marble sculpture stumbled upon on holiday in Tuscany. Art has long graced our living spaces, anchoring emotions and reflecting identity.

But in an age where so much of our lives play out in digital spaces, the role of art is evolving.

“Physical art offers a grounding presence by inviting us to pause and reflect,” says art collector James Quan, co-founder of bespoke gifting brand Bynd Artisan. “Whether it’s a hand-painted piece or a thoughtfully designed print, art adds soul and emotional resonance to our living spaces — something even the most sophisticated AI cannot replicate.”

His partner in business and life, Winnie Chan, agrees. “In the age of AI, art’s role is elevated, not just as decoration, but as a counterbalance to technology, reminding us of our humanity.”

Increasingly, too, art signals cultural capital. “It’s not just about price tags anymore,” says Jasmin Ngai, head of client advisory and private sales at Christie’s Asia. Art, she adds, “could work as a platform for connection with family, friends and even business stakeholders”.

How, then, does a collector collect in a way that reflects their heart, while also strengthening their legacy?

“Buying with your head usually means buying for investment, while buying with your heart means buying something that speaks to you,” says Ryan Su, a lawyer specialising in art law and intellectual property. “I often buy for both.”

He describes the recent purchase of Bougainvillea Form #1, a vivid sculptural wall piece by Singaporean artist Daniel Chong, discovered at a non-profit show.

“I was already drawn to the amorphous shape and magenta hue,” says Su. “Later I learned it reflected Chong’s lived experience as a queer person in Singapore and how plants like bougainvillea are allowed to flourish, unlike minorities, who often aren’t. Suddenly, I loved the thinking behind the artwork more than its appearance and felt that the artist was really on to something big.”

For Ning Chong, co-founder of Family Office for the Art (FOFA) and The Culture Story, this duality is essential. “Art should complement your home and nourish your soul. Hopefully it’s something you’ll never tire of, something that continues to educate and inspire.”

The art of the asset

In the art world, the term “blue-chip” signals stability, demand and long-term value. Like their financial counterparts, blue-chip artworks are created by artists with consistent market performance, institutional backing and global recognition.

Think of names like Picasso, Warhol, Kusama or Zao Wou-Ki. Their works are known quantities: reliably traded, widely collected and regularly featured in major exhibitions.

Cassi Young, global fine art director at consultancy Art Works Group, says such artists are those whose works fetch high values consistently, often crossing the million-dollar mark. But there’s no hard threshold; what matters more is their track record of strong demand over time, underpinned by market trust.

Kim Tay, co-founder of consultancy The Artling, adds that blue-chip status is often signalled by institutional validation: Artists whose works are collected by major museums, included in museum exhibitions and represented by top-tier commercial galleries. “If they’ve performed well in both primary and secondary markets, and have a history of museum acquisitions, it’s a good indication of stability,” she says.

That said, viewing art purely through a financial lens requires nuance.

Jasmine Prasetio, managing director of Sotheby’s Southeast Asia, points out that art isn’t a financial instrument. “Returns depend entirely on when you buy and when you sell. Timing is everything.” Certain criteria — like the artist’s prominence, the work’s provenance, condition and where it sits in the artist’s oeuvre — can signal quality and market appeal.

Christie’s Asia’s Ngai agrees, saying that collectors are increasingly recognising art’s role as a tangible, long-term asset, one that can offer diversification and cultural value in equal measure. Provenance tells the story of a work: Who has owned it, where it’s been exhibited and why it matters. Condition ensures the piece retains not only its visual power, but its market integrity.

Buying with taste and strategy

As more collectors integrate art into their broader wealth strategies, emotional connection remains the invisible thread. The smartest collectors begin with instinct.

Art Works’ Young advises collectors to “be guided by what you like — visually, ideologically, or conceptually — then layer in smart decisions based on access and demand”.

Serious art, she adds, doesn’t always come with a serious price tag; prints or smaller works by established artists can be surprisingly affordable, especially when the market hasn’t fully caught up to their academic reputation.

In terms of current art market trends, Young and Sotheby’s Prasetio point to the growing global recognition of Southeast Asian artists, with figures like Christine Ay Tjoe, Raghav Babbar and Maria Taniguchi now represented by top galleries and acquired by major institutions such as the Met, Tate and Centre Pompidou.

Of particular note, Southeast Asian female artists are gaining increasing recognition. Sandy Ma, Phillips’ international specialist for modern and contemporary art, refers to the record-breaking 2017 sale of a Christine Ay Tjoe work as a watershed moment. “Since then, her career has gone from strength to strength.”

Ma also mentions Jane Lee, Murniasih and Pacita Abad as artists gaining serious traction.

Hunting grounds

For collectors in Singapore and the region, sourcing serious art starts with knowing where credibility meets curation. While trophy galleries and global fairs still dominate headlines, there’s a thriving Southeast Asian ecosystem offering access to both blue-chip works and emerging gems.

Major galleries are often the safest first step, offering works by established artists with verified provenance and curatorial backing. Reputable names like Gajah Gallery, REDSEA Gallery, STPI, Whale Art Museum and Yavuz Gallery represent important regional talents while also showing international stars.

Regional art fairs, from Art Basel Hong Kong to Art SG and Taipei Dangdai, are ideal for discovering fresh voices and comparing works across trusted dealers.

For those seeking blue-chip secondary market acquisitions, auction houses like Christie’s, Phillips and Sotheby’s offer vetted works. Here, understanding auction premiums and condition reports is key.

Online platforms such as Artnet, Artsy and The Artling are another important avenue. “Art is more accessible than ever,” says The Artling’s Tay. “With online platforms, fairs and social media, art is at your fingertips. And if it feels overwhelming, hire a consultant; they’ll do the legwork for you.”

Just beware red flags: Unverified sellers, unclear provenance and too-good-to-be-true pricing.

Home as museum

Living with valuable works requires a thoughtful balance of aesthetics, practicality and preservation. “It’s about how you want to connect with viewers in the space,” says Bu Shukun, co-founder of interior design firm Architology. “Barring the investment value, art should be enjoyed, not kept at arm’s length.”

Whether wall-mounted or freestanding, a work’s emotional presence matters. Bu’s fellow co-founder Terrence Quah says: “Art creates a visual landing point, a place for your eyes to rest. What art can do — which our design can’t do — is speak to you in another way.”

If wall space is tight, think in sequences. “Sometimes it’s a journey through the house, other times a series of short stories,” adds Bu.

Lighting, of course, is crucial. Quah recommends brands like Erco, which museums favour for its precision beams and low-heat output. Customised spotlights ensure that artworks are well-lit without risk of UV damage. Museum-grade art glass blocks UV rays and minimises glare.

It might sound obvious, but avoid displaying art in direct sunlight. For spaces with large windows or skylights, consider installing UV-filtering films; these block up to 99.9% of harmful rays while still allowing natural light in. In terms of ambient temperature and humidity, aim for a stable environment of between 16ºC to 24ºC, with relative humidity of 40% to 60%.

But practicality doesn’t stop at presentation. “You need to buffer 10% to 15% of the art’s price for extras,” says FOFA’s Chong, pointing to the costs involved in framing, transport and insurance. “If you’re serious, protect what you own. Insure your high-value or sentimental works.”

Finally, think long-term. “It’s irresponsible to amass a meaningful collection and leave no plan,” adds Chong. Whether it’s legacy planning or philanthropy, the art you live with today deserves a future beyond your walls.

Check out the latest stories on Interior Inspiration