ART MEETS ABODE

Art curators, gallerists and collectors share their advice for displaying your prized collection at home, from the best gallery layouts to preservation tips in a humid climate

- YAIZA CANOPOLI

With years of experience collecting and curating magnificent art, Carlos Sicilia, Kevin Troyano Cuturi, Jazz Chong, Zak Lo and Terri Tan have learned a thing or two on the subject.

Sicilia’s background in art history and his work as the art curator at Liaigre position him as an expert in the contemporary art market, and Cuturi’s sophisticated collection at Cuturi Gallery is a favourite of many, born after 15 years of personal art collecting.

Passionate art collector Chong has discovered the joys of engaging with artists and the cultural narratives embedded in her prestigious gallery Ode to Art, while Lo, previously a banker, discovered his calling in the world of art after first picking up a paint brush over 20 years ago, and is now the gallery director at Gallery 1819. Meanwhile, the design director of the winner in the Tatler Homes Design Awards 2024’s Best Use of Art category, Tan takes pride in her ability to transform any interior with the addition of curated artworks, aided by her keen eye for colour and proportion.

To get budding collectors on the right track, we caught up with these purveyors of contemporary art to bring you their exclusive advice on curating and displaying a personal art collection at home, including priceless tips for preserving your favourite pieces in a humid climate.

START SMALL

Chong, owner and gallerist at Ode to Art, recommends starting with smaller pieces or even prints, as these can feel less daunting to display. In case anything goes wrong, you’re at the very least not risking a valuable original. Hanging prints and small artworks can also be a more affordable way to get started, as framing and hanging large, original pieces can be prohibitively expensive, and may not be worth it if you have never displayed art before and you’re unsure of the final layout.