Chong Huai Seng, the Chairman of the Family Office For Art and the gallery space, The Culture Story, has enjoyed the benefit of options in his life.
Coming from a humble background, at a time when Singapore was finding its footing as a nation and needed all the brainpower and willpower within its means to raise its standing, Chong took advantage of what was on offer.
He grabbed at the opportunity to further his studies as a Colombo Plan scholar, graduating with a Bachelor of Science degree with 1st Class Honours from the University of Manchester Institute of Science & Technology, in 1973.
He returned to serve his government bond at the Economic Development Board, a driving force of government, scouting for international businesses to set up their operations in Singapore. It was an ambitious plan for a small country, which matched Chong’s own determination and drive.
He rubbed shoulders with influential captains of industry and was offered positions by some of them, to run their companies in Singapore. He stayed with EDB but was realistic about feeding his ambitions.
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It was a good time for me to get into the financial services sector, initially as a remisier with Kim Eng Securities, before becoming a director of Vickers da Costa, which was one of the first foreign, stockbroking firms to have an operation in Singapore.
Throughout, Chong was fuelling his interest in art. During his days off, on the road in Europe, he would poke around in the museums and galleries, occasionally picking up pieces of art.
"It's been almost a 40-year journey, and I have amassed a few hundred works of art."
It’s a pastime that accompanied him as he helmed Panpac Media, a media company, which, during his time was a significant player in the now seemingly bygone era of print media.
When he exited the company, having missed the boat on a major cash out during the dot.com bubble, he focused his attention on art.
Together with his daughter, Ning, Chong set up the Family Office For Art and The Culture Story. The main purpose of this niche business is to make sense of the large art collections of the wealthy, cataloguing the pieces and organising them, occasionally arranging for exhibitions.
It brings Chong back to the memories that he nurtured through his working years, that allowed him to develop a deeper appreciation of art through discussions with artists and direct exposure to art and trends. It’s a journey he now shares with his daughter, Ning.
From Scholar To Entrepreneur
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As a student, Chong Huai Seng balanced work and study, captaining the Raffles Institution softball team, being active in Raffles Players with the Raffles Girls School and scoring well during his exams.
When he ventured into the working world, he was quickly drawn into the civil service, looking for investors as part of the EDB’s elite cohort. But, the call of the entrepreneur was too strong in him and he set off down that path via the financial and publishing industries, before art, which had always been his constant companion, carried him away.
A 40-year Journey
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His art pieces are procured, usually with a story behind it, sometimes personal, and sometimes in support of an artist. Artists like Hilmi Johandi, spotted by Chong in his early years, and whose progress he has followed till today.
As Chairman of the Family Office For Art and The Culture Story, Chong and his daughter, Ning, help to organise the art collections of those who have acquired much works but have been unable to manage them.
Father And Daughter Art Tag Team
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"Am I lucky to have a daughter who is interested in being in business with me, or is she lucky to have a father who has an art collection she can work with?"
Chong and his daughter, Ning, are getting more involved in the art world, the two of them attending international events and covering more ground with their respective interests and contacts.
Southeast Asian Art Punching Above Its Weight
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Chong reckons Indian art is on the rise as the Sub-continent’s growing middle class views collecting their local art as a positive endeavour. Increasingly, Chong observes, Southeast Asian art is attracting the attention of international collectors and curators for the cultural diversity it offers and its relatively affordable pricing.
The works of some Singaporean artists, like Ming Wong, Dawn Ng and Shavonne Wong, have also helped train the spotlight on local talent.
Time Is Of The Essence
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After watching his wife succumb to cancer in seven months, Chong says he wants to live the rest of his life enjoying what his health and wealth have to offer, rather than paying out large amounts to hospitals and doctors.
