33 Auction

About 33 Auction

33 Auction is Singapore's premier independent auction house, specializing in modern and contemporary Asian art with a particular focus on Southeast Asian, Chinese, and Singaporean works. Founded in 2009, it builds on the twenty years of expertise accumulated by Linda Gallery in the Asian contemporary art scene and has quickly become one of the most important auction platforms in the Asia-Pacific region.

History

While Singapore had long been a major hub for art collecting and dealing, it lacked a strong local auction house presence, with collectors relying on sales held by international houses in Hong Kong, London, and New York. 33 Auction filled this gap when it held its first auction in May 2009, offering a locally based platform with deep knowledge of the Southeast Asian art market. It now conducts approximately three major auctions per year in Singapore, supplemented by smaller sales and private transactions, from its premises at 39 Keppel Road.

Specialities and recognition

The house's core focus on modern and contemporary Asian art spans Singaporean art, where it has cultivated deep relationships with local collectors, galleries, and artists' estates; Indonesian contemporary art, reflecting Singapore's cultural connections with Indonesia; and Chinese contemporary art. It has broken multiple world auction records, including for Indonesian artist Srihadi Soedarsono, Singaporean artists Tay Bak Koi and Choo Keng Kwang, and Filipino artist Toro. These records demonstrate the house's effectiveness in connecting important works with the right buyers and in building market awareness for artists who may be underrepresented at larger international houses. In 2013, 33 Auction was recognized as one of the top auction houses in Asia by Blouin Artinfo, a significant endorsement that reflected its rapid growth and the quality of its offerings and helped attract consignments from across the region.

The house has cultivated relationships with artists' estates and foundations in the region, giving it access to important works that might not otherwise come to market; this network of relationships is a significant competitive advantage where personal connections and trust remain essential to securing quality consignments. It has also begun attracting attention for handling works by emerging contemporary artists, offering accessible price points for artists gaining international recognition, a forward-looking approach that complements its established programme of modern and established contemporary works. The house has also expressed plans to expand into additional categories over time, such as luxury goods and watches.

33 Auction's intimate scale allows for a highly personalized service that larger international houses cannot easily replicate. Collectors working with the house benefit from direct access to specialist knowledge about regional artists, market conditions, and collecting strategies; for new collectors entering the Southeast Asian art market, this guidance can be particularly valuable in navigating a diverse and complex field.

Buying and selling

Each auction is accompanied by a detailed catalogue with scholarly entries, provenance information, and high-quality photography. Bidding is available in the saleroom, by telephone, and online, with a buyer's premium generally in the range of 20 to 25 percent that buyers should confirm for each sale.

Free appraisals for sellers can be arranged by contacting the Singapore office, with commissions negotiated individually; consigning is particularly attractive for works by Southeast Asian and Singaporean artists. The house's online presence has grown steadily, with catalogues and online bidding supported for most sales, which is especially important given the geographical spread of Asian art collectors.

Locations

33 Auction benefits from Singapore's position as a global financial centre and art market hub, with a favourable tax environment, strong logistics infrastructure, and cultural diversity that make it attractive for buying and selling art, alongside the Singapore Freeport and the annual Singapore Art Week.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does 33 Auction specialize in?

Modern and contemporary Asian art, with particular strength in Southeast Asian, Singaporean, Indonesian, and Chinese works.

What is 33 Auction's buyer's premium?

Generally in the range of 20 to 25 percent, though buyers should confirm the rate for each specific sale.

When was 33 Auction founded, and what came before it?

It was founded in 2009 and builds on twenty years of expertise accumulated by Linda Gallery in the Asian contemporary art scene.