In the new millennium Singapore is investing enormous effort and expense in developing the art infrastructure as the profile of its contemporary artists rises, with the aim of becoming the locus of the art market in the East. This lecture explores the unfolding history. An art historian, art market analyst and curator/ writer, Viv Lawes combines a hands-on career in the art business with research and teaching in Higher Education at several London-based universities. Viv has curated numerous exhibitions of Southeast Asian contemporary art in London and Singapore.