Sim and his wife, Ima Norbinsha (Photo: Puah Chin Kok)
When Ivan Alexander Francis Gabriel, the curator and gallery manager of Hin Bus Depot, extended an invitation to art collector and investment banker Bingley Sim last year to showcase his collection, it was an opportunity that resonated deeply.
“I was born in Penang and spent the first five years of my life there before my dad, a banker, was transferred to Ipoh. The house we lived in still stands today, and my aunty and uncle reside there. Choosing this venue was easy because I visit them every trip to the island. I love the vibe of the place and its sense of community. And I’ve always wanted to share my collection with the public,” Sim reflects.
His four-week show, although not officially part of the George Town Festival, coincides with this significant event. “I’m excited to welcome people from all over to the event, and we anticipate 10,000 to 15,000 visitors,” he says.
The exhibition, Negaraku (a name suggested by his daughter Iza), is thoughtfully divided into seven chapters: How It All Began, Stephen Menon, Birth of a Nation, Crime & Punishment, Nation Building, Power & Greed and A New Beginning. Each section offers a rich narrative, weaving together the various threads of Malaysia’s past, present and future through 72 contemporary pieces by 20 artists.
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“Working on a collector’s show is different from putting together a selling one. The former requires a carefully curated art journey with a strong narrative, which I believe is most important. You can’t haphazardly put together artworks you like and expect the audience to appreciate them. It’s essential to create a cohesive and meaningful experience.”
He says it was important to include cornerstone pieces. “I call it that because I’m a boring banker. You need two or three solid works in order to build the entire display. I can’t have 30 equally good exhibits; one will walk in and out bored. I’ve always wanted to showcase one of the best pieces I own, which is by Stephen Menon, done during the 50th independence year of Malaysia.”
It consists of 50 screenprint artworks, each featuring an image of the country’s first prime minister Tunku Abdul Rahman. “They are very colourful, and each piece includes a road sign accompanied by a quote from our beloved founding father,” he explains. “For instance, one features a U-turn sign with a quote from Aug 21, 1965: ‘I cannot say whether Singapore will come back.’ To me, this body of work really encapsulates the iconic image of Tunku we all grew up with — the one of him proclaiming ‘Merdeka! Merdeka! Merdeka!’ in 1957.”
Another iconic piece that Sim included marks the beginning of his journey as an art collector. “I came across this painting when I went to make payment for an artwork at HOM Art Trans gallery, and the curator of the show, Bayu Utomo Radjikin, showed me his 8ft-high and 6ft-wide all-black painting,
Kau Sekutu atau Seteru, at his studio in the building next door. I was floored. It had a faint fighter pilot helmet image with a red dot, a cross and the year 2008. Around it were very painful words such as duka (sorrow), seksa (torture) and cinta (love), among others.”
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This happened on March 8, 2008, the day of the tsunami election as the final results were being announced. As Sim soaked in its grandeur and intricate details, he just knew this was the kind of painting he wanted in his collection. “It was philosophical, had soul and, above all, spoke to me.” That moment marked his decision to pursue art collecting and, naturally, it became a cornerstone of Negaraku.
He predominantly collects contemporary artworks, emphasising that with this “history at one point in time genre”, one must keep collecting to stay current with the art world’s evolution and social commentaries. Pausing means leaving gaps in the collection’s narrative, and he readily admits to accumulating “too many pieces” in his kitty. “My wife and I manage the collection jointly. She is the sensible one who often reins me in, but I still pursue pieces that captivate me,” he laughs.
Is there a rising trend among collectors to display the works they have amassed? Sim says there is not, as many of them have already shown their collections in the past, but a contributing factor is the opening of Dr Tan Loke Mun’s galleries Ur-Mu 1, 2 and, soon, 3. “A major reason for the limited number of shows in the past has been the scarcity of space. I’m grateful to Hin Bus Depot for inviting me to take over the facility,” says Sim, who is also co-founder of One Piece Club, an informal collective with a mission to introduce more people to art and make it accessible and less intimidating for the uninitiated. This is his first big solo as a collector, after a few group shows with the Art Friends collective.
He also extends his heartfelt gratitude to Menon, whom he considers one of the most underrated intellectual artists in the country. Not only do his works feature prominently in the exhibition, but he has also assisted Sim in compiling the show’s catalogue. “I am deeply grateful to Yayasan Mr DIY for their invaluable support, without which this essential documentation would not have been possible. The proceeds from its sale will benefit several local charities in Penang.”
Sim has been tirelessly juggling his professional commitments while assembling the show through weekly visits up north. “I invest much of my weekends in visiting artists, galleries and purchasing artworks. While I may be financially poorer, I feel immensely enriched in mind and spirit. Ultimately, that’s what truly matters.”
Negaraku promises to be a compelling journey that not only showcases his extensive collection but also invites visitors to reflect on the nation’s story through a powerful artistic lens. “I want to show art can be fun and dispel the myth that it’s only for the elite. Bayu once told me: ‘Now that you own the artwork, you can have your own narrative.’ I think this would be good for tourists as well as Malaysians to be proud of.”
'Negaraku', a collector’s show by Bingley Sim & Ima Norbinsha, will run from July 13 to Aug 11 at Hin Bus Depot, 31A Jalan Gurdwara, George Town. See here for more information.
This article first appeared on July 1, 2024 in The Edge Malaysia.
