Making Art Work

Theres money to be made from owning art, says Mr. Troy Sadler, managing director and head of investment at Art Works Singapore

- Paul Wan

Enter a refurbished shophouse at Nankin Row, China Square Central, and you will see several contemporary Chinese paintings lining the stark walls. This is Art Works, the first contemporary art investment gallery in Singapore to offer a full suite of end-to end art investment services.

Mr. Tony Sadler, a former tennis professional and art investor for over a decade, manages the eight-year-old Singapore-based company. He started working as a gallery assistant in New York City before moving back to Sydney in 2000 where he joined Australia’s leading art brokerage and ultimately wound up running the trade floor. Since then, he developed his career in Hong Kong and Singapore, and specializes in Chinese contemporary art.

Art Works offers assurance and reliable information to potential investors who are keen to enter the art investment market. Mr. Sadler explains, “It’s all about education and trust. Art Works does due diligence thoroughly over a long period of time on each artist we represent. Therefore, we will educate the potential investor on the artists, the market and our buy-to-lease model.

“Once we have your trust, we’ll find you a piece that suits your investment needs. The common areas as with any investment are entry price, return potential, and exit timeframe and we will advise the most suitable piece for your needs.”

Art Works investors have overcome the concept that they are buying a piece of art, Mr. Sadler says. “They are investing into a tangible asset with a company that manages a buy-to-lease model. Investments are about ROI and capital appreciation, not pretty pictures,” says Mr. Sadler, himself an owner of several art pieces. “It’s however difficult not to be seduced by the beauty of a piece, especially when you have a personal relationship with the artists.”