Editioned artworks: To buy or not to buy?

ARE editioned works a good investment? According to some gallerists here, editioned works - or artworks that appear in multiples, such as prints - are not popular among Asian collectors because they're perceived to be less valuable and exclusive than paintings, which are typically one-off or unique. In other words, that Murakami print that comes in an edition of 300 that you paid US$2,600 for could one day be hanging in 299 other homes.

However, a lively and informative panel discussion at the recent Edition(ed) art fair organised by Art Galleries Association Singapore reveals that those attitudes may be changing here.

The knowledgeable panel comprised founder and CEO of online gallery The Artling, Talenia Phua Gajardo; chief printer of artspace STPI, Eitaro Ogawa; art historian Louis Ho; and artist Belinda Fox. The discussion held at Helutrans was moderated by Benjamin Hampe, director and co-owner of Chan Hampe Galleries.