
Ning Chong knows how to tell a story. Gesturing at the names inscribed all over an ottoman size white crown being exhibited at her private art gallery, The Culture Story, Ning elaborates on their significance. The names etched on this replica of English coronation regalia are, in fact, those of Indian freedom fighters who fought to end British colonial rule in India. Citing reports of the vast amounts of wealth pillaged from India by British colonial powers, Ning muses, "It's such a juxtaposition - this sculpture is very majestic and beautiful, but there are actually many layers of meaning and history to unpack."
Called Memoria Corona, the fibre-glass polymer sculpture by Indian visual artist Reena Saini Kallat is part of the Aesthetic Responses exhibition curated by art historian Savita Apte. The showcase consists of works of 10 artists from across South Asia, drawn from three private collections.
Ning and her father, former investment banker and avid art collector Chong Huai Seng, founded The Culture Story in 2017 as a place for curious art patrons, connoisseurs and enthusiasts to discover, discuss and collect new artists and their works. In addition to featuring pieces from Chong senior's collection of more than 300 artworks, the gallery hosts other collector led shows. It has put on noteworthy exhibitions that include Constellation, the Southeast Asian solo debut of New York street artist Futura, as well as Flesh Matters, which tracked the career of second-generation Nanyang artist Wong Keen.
The Culture Story's current focus on South Asian artists reflects Ning's move beyond Singaporean and regional art. "I wanted to look at something different," the gallerist and art consultant says. "Through art, I'm inspired to learn more about this region and its cultures. This decade is also tipped to be the golden period for India. The Indian economy is doing so well right now, so I said, okay, let's spotlight this region."
Esta historia es de la edición March 2024 de Prestige Singapore.
Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.
Ya eres suscriptor ? Conectar
Esta historia es de la edición March 2024 de Prestige Singapore.
Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.
Ya eres suscriptor? Conectar

LA LA LAND
ALL'S WELL IN THE REALM OF HAUTE COUTURE, WHERE QUESTIONS OF WEARABILITY ARE HARDLY THE MOST PRESSING. JANUARY'S REALITY-SUSPENDING SPRING/SUMMER 2025 COLLECTIONS COMBINED OUT-OF-THIS-WORLD TECHNIQUES TO PUSH THE BOUNDARIES OF THE HANDMADE EVEN FURTHER. PRESTIGE REPORTS FROM THE FRONT ROW.

A Modern Monument
With the RM 16-02, Richard Mille's quintessential rectangular watch embraces sharp, unyielding lines for an architectural masterpiece for the wrist.

FAMILY VALUES
HRnetGroup's chief corporate officer joined the family business through a stroke of fate, but as she discovered, her father had prepared her for the role even before she assumed the mantle.

STROKES OF CREATIVITY
The fine watchmaking world can be a very serious one. But as these recent collaborations show, putting artists and designers in charge can lead to some very inspired – and very covetable – creations.

GENERATION NEXT
After more than a decade in production, Porsche has produced an entirely new Macan SUV only this time it's electric powered. Prestige drives it.

Museum Quality
Four must-see art destinations around the world debuting in 2025.

THAILAND RISING
Does this Southeast Asian kingdom have what it takes to become Asia's next big art hub? Patron MARISA CHEARAVANONT and curator STEFANO RABOLLI PANSERA certainly think so.

TAKING SHAPE
It might not be as instantly recognisable as the Tank or Santos, but the petite oval Baignoire is swiftly coming into its own as a Cartier horological icon.

ARTISTS TO WATCH 2025
As the Prestige team geared up for Hong Kong's annual art-athon, we also set ourselves the task of identifying the emerging talents from eight East Asian countries, who should all be registering on your cultural radar this year. The following 16 virtuosi made our final cut.

CALL HER BY HER NAME
Defying convention in 1995, DOMAINE ANNE GROS was one of the first eponymous female wine estates in Burgundy. And freedom is still the winemaker's mantra when it comes to her venture in the south of France.