COMPANY PROFILE
Based in Singapore, Family Office For Art is a new premium art advisory for all of your art collection needs. Helmed by Ning Chong and her father Chong Huai Seng, we are independent art advisers with a wide network of art specialists and experts in Asia and beyond.
FOFA offers services designed to accommodate the growing needs of a diverse clientele, whether it is to advise an established collector who wishes to pass on his legacy to the next generation or provide expert guidance for a first time buyer. Our clients’ interests come first, so it is important for us to understand their needs and requirements before we carry out any sourcing or due diligence work.
TESTIMONIES
NING CHONG
Managing Director
ningchong@fofa.asia
Since she began her career in 2008, Ning Chong has more than fifteen years of experience working in the professional art world. She received a BSc in Economics and Economic History from the London School of Economics, and a Masters in Modern and Contemporary Art from Christie’s Education in London.
In 2017, Ning co-founded The Culture Story with her father Mr Chong, with a vision to create a boutique art consultancy that delivers exciting programmes centred around art. We organise high-quality art exhibitions and talks in our private art space, which also serves as a platform to build a community, promote art appreciation and connoisseurship.
Some of the notable exhibitions presented by The Culture Story include CONSTELLATION (2019) which was New York street artist zeitgeist, Futura’s debut solo show in Southeast Asia, FLESH MATTERS which charted the artistic career of second-generation Nanyang artist Wong Keen; as well as a solo show GENESIS: GOD’S TERRARIUM by Singapore pop artist, Jahan Loh, which attracted Mando-pop singer-celebrities Jay Chou and JJ Lin.
Over the last five years, Ning has established her reputation as one who understands the intricacies of the dynamic art market. As a collector and consultant, Ning is no stranger to introducing the concept of art collecting, treating art as an alternative asset class and to explain the dynamics of the multi-billion dollar art industry. Ning has contributed articles, given radio and TV interviews, participated and moderated in numerous panel discussions about the art market, collecting art and NFTs.
Currently, Ning and her father jointly drive the acquisition strategy for their family art collection, which comprises paintings, sculpture, photography, prints and NFTs. Ning is also a patron of the National Gallery Singapore and Singapore Art Museum.
Prior to setting up The Culture Story, between 2008 – 2010, Ning immersed herself in London’s commercial art scene, interning at the world’s leading auction houses and top contemporary art gallery White Cube.
In 2010, Ning returned to Singapore and joined the National Arts Council where she was involved in policy-making and led the organisation of high-profile events such as annual Singapore Art Week (2013 – 2015) and the Singapore Pavilion at Venice Biennale (editions 2013 and 2015). In 2015, Ning joined iPreciation Gallery where she oversaw core exhibition programmes, sales and marketing — including the organisation of ENVISION 2016 — the first large-scale outdoor exhibition of sculptures by leading Asian and Singaporean contemporary artists, displayed across Singapore’s Civic District and Marina Bay area from January – May 2016.
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Mr Chong has been acquiring fine art and collectibles for the past forty years. Drawing on a deep love and passion for art, he acquires art from across the world; using art as a bridge and platform to meet new people, and to connect and understand different cultures and societies around the world.
Mr Chong’s approach to art collecting is greatly influenced by his early career as a stockbroker and investment manager. He is interested in identifying young talents, and has invested much of his time and resources to building a network of artists, galleries, specialists and advisers who would help him spot the star artists of the future. Besides investing in artists, Mr Chong is an active angel investor in Singapore, investing in B2C lifestyle platforms such as The Artling and Ox Street (which was acquired by Carousell in 2021).
His frequent visits to China in the early 2000s sparked an interest in Chinese art, especially Chinese contemporary ink. In 2003, Mr Chong founded The China Art Foundation to promote Chinese contemporary ink artists. In 2004, he supported and helped organise a major ink exhibition called “Xin Xie Yi”《 新写意》held at the National Art Museum of China in Beijing. The exhibition, which was curated by Mr Liu Xiaochun, Researcher at the Chinese Art Research Institute, showcased twenty-five artists and attracted over 50,000 visitors. The exhibition was considered to be a significant event in the Chinese art community; it played a part in profiling some of today’s renowned Chinese ink artists such as Wucius Wong, Tian Liming, Li Jin, Nan Qi, Chao Hai, Liu QingHe, Peng Wei, Jia Youfu and Tan Swie Hian. Chong continues to support ink artists from China whilst also collecting works in other medium by contemporary Chinese artists.
Based in Singapore, Mr Chong was the Managing Director of Vickers Da Costa Securities (1984 – 1988) and John Govett Asia (1988 – 1993), both premier London-based investment institutions involved in stockbroking and fund management respectively.
By the mid-1990s, Mr Chong left the investment banking industry and became involved in media and publishing where he was the Vice-Chairman and major shareholder of Singapore-listed company Panpac Media, a major publisher of magazines in Singapore and Malaysia. He also founded Smart Investor, one of the first homegrown magazines with a focus on finance and local businesses, as its Chairman and publisher. In 2003, he exited from Panpac Media and became a private investor, investing in young companies in Chongqing, China and supporting start-ups in the digital economy.
Currently, Mr Chong is the adviser to The Culture Story and drives the business development for Family Office For Art with his daughter Ning. Together they collect art for their personal collection, with a special interest in abstract and figurative art by young and mid-career artists, contemporary street art by international artists, and NFTs.
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CHONG HUAI SENG
Chairman
chonghs@fofa.asia
Mr Chong has been acquiring fine art and collectibles for the past forty years. Drawing on a deep love and passion for art, he acquires art from across the world; using art as a bridge and platform to meet new people, and to connect and understand different cultures and societies around the world.
Mr Chong’s approach to art collecting is greatly influenced by his early career as a stockbroker and investment manager. He is interested in identifying young talents, and has invested much of his time and resources to building a network of artists, galleries, specialists and advisers who would help him spot the star artists of the future. Besides investing in artists, Mr Chong is an active angel investor in Singapore, investing in B2C lifestyle platforms such as The Artling and Ox Street (which was acquired by Carousell in 2021).
His frequent visits to China in the early 2000s sparked an interest in Chinese art, especially Chinese contemporary ink. In 2003, Mr Chong founded The China Art Foundation to promote Chinese contemporary ink artists. In 2004, he supported and helped organise a major ink exhibition called “Xin Xie Yi”《 新写意》held at the National Art Museum of China in Beijing. The exhibition, which was curated by Mr Liu Xiaochun, Researcher at the Chinese Art Research Institute, showcased twenty-five artists and attracted over 50,000 visitors. The exhibition was considered to be a significant event in the Chinese art community; it played a part in profiling some of today’s renowned Chinese ink artists such as Wucius Wong, Tian Liming, Li Jin, Nan Qi, Chao Hai, Liu QingHe, Peng Wei, Jia Youfu and Tan Swie Hian. Chong continues to support ink artists from China whilst also collecting works in other medium by contemporary Chinese artists.
Based in Singapore, Mr Chong was the Managing Director of Vickers Da Costa Securities (1984 – 1988) and John Govett Asia (1988 – 1993), both premier London-based investment institutions involved in stockbroking and fund management respectively.
By the mid-1990s, Mr Chong left the investment banking industry and became involved in media and publishing where he was the Vice-Chairman and major shareholder of Singapore-listed company Panpac Media, a major publisher of magazines in Singapore and Malaysia. He also founded Smart Investor, one of the first homegrown magazines with a focus on finance and local businesses, as its Chairman and publisher. In 2003, he exited from Panpac Media and became a private investor, investing in young companies in Chongqing, China and supporting start-ups in the digital economy.
Currently, Mr Chong is the adviser to The Culture Story and drives the business development for Family Office For Art with his daughter Ning. Together they collect art for their personal collection, with a special interest in abstract and figurative art by young and mid-career artists, contemporary street art by international artists, and NFTs.
Since she began her career in 2008, Ning Chong has more than fifteen years of experience working in the professional art world. She received a BSc in Economics and Economic History from the London School of Economics, and a Masters in Modern and Contemporary Art from Christie’s Education in London.
In 2017, Ning co-founded The Culture Story with her father Mr Chong, with a vision to create a boutique art consultancy that delivers exciting programmes centred around art. We organise high-quality art exhibitions and talks in our private art space, which also serves as a platform to build a community, promote art appreciation and connoisseurship.
Some of the notable exhibitions presented by The Culture Story include CONSTELLATION (2019) which was New York street artist zeitgeist, Futura’s debut solo show in Southeast Asia, FLESH MATTERS which charted the artistic career of second-generation Nanyang artist Wong Keen; as well as a solo show GENESIS: GOD’S TERRARIUM by Singapore pop artist, Jahan Loh, which attracted Mando-pop singer-celebrities Jay Chou and JJ Lin.
Over the last five years, Ning has established her reputation as one who understands the intricacies of the dynamic art market. As a collector and consultant, Ning is no stranger to introducing the concept of art collecting, treating art as an alternative asset class and to explain the dynamics of the multi-billion dollar art industry. Ning has contributed articles, given radio and TV interviews, participated and moderated in numerous panel discussions about the art market, collecting art and NFTs.
Currently, Ning and her father jointly drive the acquisition strategy for their family art collection, which comprises paintings, sculpture, photography, prints and NFTs. Ning is also a patron of the National Gallery Singapore and Singapore Art Museum.
Yi Ling brings a wealth of experience as a specialist in Art management, honing her craft and expertise at the Heritage Conservation Centre (HCC) under Singapore’s National Heritage Board and STPI – Creative Workshop & Gallery, one of Singapore’s most prestigious art-making institutions. With over a decade of professional experience, Yi Ling’s core skills comprise Project management – exhibition and logistics, operations, administration, budget and Art Collection management.
At HCC, Yi Ling developed her understanding and received extensive training in managing collections of high volume and variety, which comprised the registration, storage, management and archival of artworks and artefacts housed under Singapore’s National Collection.
At STPI, Yi Ling’s main responsibility as a registrar portfolio manager expanded to include project management, artwork logistics, exhibition management and art fair participation – where she produced at least 30 exhibitions, 22 art fair showcases, both in Singapore and internationally. She also worked as a liaison manager for international artists, studios and galleries who were participating in the STPI Residency programme, and maintenance of the new collection of works on paper that were created during the residency. She joins FOFA as Senior Art Manager, with a commitment to provide steadfast support and professional advice to your collection needs.
Lorraine began her career in the financial industry, where she spent 17 years in cash equity sales responsible for client relationship development and management. She has held senior positions in the Far East equity sales divisions of Barclays de Zoete Wedd Securities (now Barclays Capital), Smith New Court Securities (now Bank of America Merrill Lynch), and Jardine Fleming Securities (now JP Morgan). She has worked in London, Hong Kong, Jakarta, and Singapore for these various financial institutions.
In the late 1990s, Lorraine moved into business development, working for Singapore Repertory Theatre and Garner International, an executive recruitment company based in Singapore. She then began a career in the Arts as a co-founder of Art Alliance, a company offering art design consultancy. In 2014, Lorraine enjoyed a brief consultancy stint with The Artling, a curated online gallery.
In early 2015, she joined National Gallery Singapore as Associate Director in Partnership Development and oversaw the creation of the national modern art museum’s patron program.
She moved to the United Kingdom at the end of 2018 with her family and joined King’s College London, as the London university’s Development Officer for Asia. She is currently FOFA’s Business Development Consultant for the United Kingdom and Europe. Currently, she divides her time between Oxford and London.
Team
Chong Huai Seng
Chairman
chonghs@fofa.asia
Mr Chong has been acquiring fine art and collectibles for the past forty years. Drawing on a deep love and passion for art, he acquires art from across the world; using art as a bridge and platform to meet new people, and to connect and understand different cultures and societies around the world.
Mr Chong’s approach to art collecting is greatly influenced by his early career as a stockbroker and investment manager. He is interested in identifying young talents, and has invested much of his time and resources to building a network of artists, galleries, specialists and advisers who would help him spot the star artists of the future. Besides investing in artists, Mr Chong is an active angel investor in Singapore, investing in B2C lifestyle platforms such as The Artling and Ox Street (which was acquired by Carousell in 2021).
His frequent visits to China in the early 2000s sparked an interest in Chinese art, especially Chinese contemporary ink. In 2003, Mr Chong founded The China Art Foundation to promote Chinese contemporary ink artists. In 2004, he supported and helped organise a major ink exhibition called “Xin Xie Yi”《 新写意》held at the National Art Museum of China in Beijing. The exhibition, which was curated by Mr Liu Xiaochun, Researcher at the Chinese Art Research Institute, showcased twenty-five artists and attracted over 50,000 visitors. The exhibition was considered to be a significant event in the Chinese art community; it played a part in profiling some of today’s renowned Chinese ink artists such as Wucius Wong, Tian Liming, Li Jin, Nan Qi, Chao Hai, Liu QingHe, Peng Wei, Jia Youfu and Tan Swie Hian. Chong continues to support ink artists from China whilst also collecting works in other medium by contemporary Chinese artists.
Based in Singapore, Mr Chong was the Managing Director of Vickers Da Costa Securities (1984 – 1988) and John Govett Asia (1988 – 1993), both premier London-based investment institutions involved in stockbroking and fund management respectively.
By the mid-1990s, Mr Chong left the investment banking industry and became involved in media and publishing where he was the Vice-Chairman and major shareholder of Singapore-listed company Panpac Media, a major publisher of magazines in Singapore and Malaysia. He also founded Smart Investor, one of the first homegrown magazines with a focus on finance and local businesses, as its Chairman and publisher. In 2003, he exited from Panpac Media and became a private investor, investing in young companies in Chongqing, China and supporting start-ups in the digital economy.
Currently, Mr Chong is the adviser to The Culture Story and drives the business development for Family Office For Art with his daughter Ning. Together they collect art for their personal collection, with a special interest in abstract and figurative art by young and mid-career artists, contemporary street art by international artists, and NFTs.
Ning Chong
Managing Director
ningchong@fofa.asia
Since she began her career in 2008, Ning Chong has more than fifteen years of experience working in the professional art world. She received a BSc in Economics and Economic History from the London School of Economics, and a Masters in Modern and Contemporary Art from Christie’s Education in London.
In 2017, Ning co-founded The Culture Story with her father Mr Chong, with a vision to create a boutique art consultancy that delivers exciting programmes centred around art. We organise high-quality art exhibitions and talks in our private art space, which also serves as a platform to build a community, promote art appreciation and connoisseurship.
Some of the notable exhibitions presented by The Culture Story include CONSTELLATION (2019) which was New York street artist zeitgeist, Futura’s debut solo show in Southeast Asia, FLESH MATTERS which charted the artistic career of second-generation Nanyang artist Wong Keen; as well as a solo show GENESIS: GOD’S TERRARIUM by Singapore pop artist, Jahan Loh, which attracted Mando-pop singer-celebrities Jay Chou and JJ Lin.
Over the last five years, Ning has established her reputation as one who understands the intricacies of the dynamic art market. As a collector and consultant, Ning is no stranger to introducing the concept of art collecting, treating art as an alternative asset class and to explain the dynamics of the multi-billion dollar art industry. Ning has contributed articles, given radio and TV interviews, participated and moderated in numerous panel discussions about the art market, collecting art and NFTs.
Currently, Ning and her father jointly drive the acquisition strategy for their family art collection, which comprises paintings, sculpture, photography, prints and NFTs. Ning is also a patron of the National Gallery Singapore and Singapore Art Museum.
Kong Yi Ling
Senior Art Manager
yiling@fofa.asia
Yi Ling brings a wealth of experience as a specialist in Art management, honing her craft and expertise at the Heritage Conservation Centre (HCC) under Singapore’s National Heritage Board and STPI – Creative Workshop & Gallery, one of Singapore’s most prestigious art-making institutions. With over a decade of professional experience, Yi Ling’s core skills comprise Project management – exhibition and logistics, operations, administration, budget and Art Collection management.
At HCC, Yi Ling developed her understanding and received extensive training in managing collections of high volume and variety, which comprised the registration, storage, management and archival of artworks and artefacts housed under Singapore’s National Collection.
At STPI, Yi Ling’s main responsibility as a registrar portfolio manager expanded to include project management, artwork logistics, exhibition management and art fair participation – where she produced at least 30 exhibitions, 22 art fair showcases, both in Singapore and internationally. She also worked as a liaison manager for international artists, studios and galleries who were participating in the STPI Residency programme, and maintenance of the new collection of works on paper that were created during the residency. She joins FOFA as Senior Art Manager, with a commitment to provide steadfast support and professional advice to your collection needs.
Advisors
Lorraine Boon
Advisor
lorraine@fofa.asia
Lorraine began her career in the financial industry, where she spent 17 years in cash equity sales responsible for client relationship development and management. She has held senior positions in the Far East equity sales divisions of Barclays de Zoete Wedd Securities (now Barclays Capital), Smith New Court Securities (now Bank of America Merrill Lynch), and Jardine Fleming Securities (now JP Morgan). She has worked in London, Hong Kong, Jakarta, and Singapore for these various financial institutions.
In the late 1990s, Lorraine moved into business development, working for Singapore Repertory Theatre and Garner International, an executive recruitment company based in Singapore. She then began a career in the Arts as a co-founder of Art Alliance, a company offering art design consultancy. In 2014, Lorraine enjoyed a brief consultancy stint with The Artling, a curated online gallery.
In early 2015, she joined National Gallery Singapore as Associate Director in Partnership Development and oversaw the creation of the national modern art museum’s patron program.
She moved to the United Kingdom at the end of 2018 with her family and joined King’s College London, as the London university’s Development Officer for Asia. She is currently FOFA’s Business Development Consultant for the United Kingdom and Europe. Currently, she divides her time between Oxford and London.
