MOST people spend their money collecting luxury items like watches, jewellery and and other designer goods, but not Lita Cabellut. Instead, the Spanish artist has an obsession with collecting Asian sculptures, and even has a room dedicated to Buddha sculptures in her home.

"My passion is to have beautiful sculptures, because I love them. Through these sculptures I learned a lot about Asian culture. Because you see a lot of suffering from these sculptures, and you also see beauty and magic," she enthuses.

Cabellut's fascination with Asian art and culture started with the purchase of her first sculpture about 12 years ago, and that in turn has inspired her paintings. 44 pieces are on display at Dried Tear, an exhibition at the Opera Gallery, Ion Orchard. Prices range from $25,000 to $138,000.