Asia's appetite for Chinese contemporary art is growing, according to an art investment firm which this month opened an office in Singapore in response to soaring demand.

Art Futures Group, which already has offices in Beijing and Hong Kong, announced a new team of Singapore-based brokers who will look after every aspect of buying artwork with clients, from initial purchases to exit strategies.

The firm, which opened in Hong Kong two years ago, says it can identify hidden opportunities and demonstrate solid returns for its clients, although it did not specifiy what these are. 

It has a panel of art investment experts monitoring global markets and artist records, selecting only pieces with the best capital growth potential. The group focuses on lucrative mid-career artists but for portfolio diversification makes sure both new and blue-chip artists are also represented, allowing clients to spread risks and maximise potential gains. Only artists with a proven track record and high popular demand are evaluated, ensuring that the artwork will hold and increase in value when it comes to trading. In the interim, Art Futures Group art rental service enhances the original investment by leasing the work to businesses, said the firm in a statement. 

Jonathan Macey, director of operations at Art Futures Group, said: “Singapore is a sophisticated market. With a number of private art collectors, established auction houses, international art galleries and art fairs based here, the knowledge and desire for Chinese Contemporary Art is strong. Singapore is rivalling Hong Kong as the art hub for Asia. As a leading art brokerage house in Asian art it became evident that we had to have a dedicated team on the ground servicing our Singapore investors.”