In Conversation With: CEO Talenia Phua Gajardo
Based in Singapore, The Artling founded by CEO, Talenia Phua Gajardo, is a global online gallery and art consultancy dedicated to helping collectors, design professionals, and brands discover and acquire contemporary art and design.
Since 2013, The Artling has grown into one of the most trusted platforms for sourcing and commissioning artworks, connecting clients with over 4,300 artists and designers worldwide. With more than 78,000 artworks available online and an estimated USD 2 billion inventory value, the platform brings together a curated selection of paintings, sculptures, photography, prints, and collectible design pieces.
The Artling has grown from an online gallery into a global consultancy working on landmark projects. Looking back, what gaps in the art and design industry did you see in Asia that inspired you to start the platform?
The Artling CEO, Talenia Phua Gajardo
When The Artling was first launched in 2013, there really wasn’t a central platform that connected contemporary Asian artists and designers with a global audience. Many talented creatives were working in isolation, and reach was quite limited. At the same time, developers and architects across Asia were starting ambitious projects, but struggled to source art that felt authentic and site-specific. We saw a gap where technology could bridge that divide, creating access, transparency, and new opportunities for both sides.
Many of your projects, from Capella Taipei to Patina Maldives, show how art can transform a hotel or resort experience. How do you approach curating works so that they not only complement the architecture and interiors, but also create a sense of place and wellbeing for guests?
We always start with the context i.e. the architecture and interiors, the cultural heritage of the site, and the kind of experience the client wants to create. From there, we layer in works that feel both integrated and surprising. For example, in Patina Maldives we worked with artists whose pieces respond to the natural environment like the ocean, the sky, the light. We also localize wherever possible, reaching out to galleries and artists from the area to ensure that they are part of the property's story where possible. When done well, the art becomes more than decoration; it becomes part of the guest journey, sparking reflection and enhancing wellbeing.
Momento by FAHR 021.3
The younger generation of collectors in Asia is often described as more adventurous and digitally engaged. How are you seeing tastes shift among new collectors, and how does The Artling respond to those evolving interests?
Younger collectors tend to be less bound by traditional categories and they’re happy to explore design objects alongside paintings or buy a digital work alongside a sculpture. They’re also much more comfortable discovering and buying art online. We respond to this by making the platform as user-friendly and transparent as possible, whilst also providing curated content and editorial that helps them to navigate. It’s about empowering them to be adventurous but also informed.
With your focus on both emerging and established artists, how do you strike a balance between giving visibility to rising talent while also sourcing works from internationally recognised names?
Ultimately this depends on the client, but we do see them as complementary. A strong project might feature an established name that anchors the collection, but it’s often the emerging voices that give a space freshness and discovery. We’re constantly scouting through studio visits, fairs, and digital submissions, so that our clients have access to a wide variety of options. The goal is always to create balance: credibility and gravitas on one hand, and excitement and newness on the other.
Palms by Cássio Vasconcellos Patina Maldives.
For architects, developers, or interior designers who may not yet have integrated art at the early stages of their projects, what advice would you give on how and when to involve art consultants in the design process?
The earlier the better! If art is considered only at the end, it risks feeling like an afterthought. When we’re brought in early, we can collaborate with architects and designers so that the artworks feel embedded into the spaces and fully integrated. Whether that’s commissioning a site-specific piece, integrating sculpture into landscaping, or aligning the narrative of the interiors with the art program. It also helps with budget planning and avoids costly rework. Budget planning is very important to us to ensure that we stay on track!
Mondrian Hotel Singapore. Artwork by Andre Wee.
Looking ahead, which artists or creative voices are you both excited about for 2026? Are there any trends or movements you think will shape the art landscape in the coming years?
We’re excited about artists working at the intersection of art, design, and technology and people or collectives who are experimenting with material innovation, sustainability, and AI. Whilst AI is super exciting, it will never replace the tangible and physical so that dialogue between the two feels especially powerful right now.
Artling's online store is a major part of your platform, with thousands of artworks available globally. How are you seeing collectors, interior designers, and even first-time buyers use the site, and what advice would you give to someone starting their collection through The Artling?
Designers and other consultants love using it as a discovery tool, which is exactly what we want. They can filter by size, budget, material, and immediately see how works might fit a project. Our AI-enabled search also allows users to insert images of their spaces, where our engine then recommends suitable pieces. This is a great starting point for discovery if one is a little overwhelmed. Collectors often use it for research, bookmarking artists they may not encounter locally. For first-time buyers, my advice is simple: trust your instincts, but also be open to guidance. Start with a piece you feel genuinely connected to, rather than thinking only about investment. That’s how meaningful collections are built.
Long Tail Mountain Lady: An Abstract Celebration of Taiwan's Endemic Blue Magpie Beauty by Elsa Jeandedieu Studio.
What travel recommendations can you share with our readers?
Travel for the art fairs to learn more. You could go to a new art fair every month.... Currently I'm in Sydney for Sydney Contemporary.
Is there a restaurant or cocktail bar whose atmosphere or design you particularly admire and can share with our readers?
Too many too name but some art-filled F&B spaces I love include: The Red Room at The Connaught London, Kronenhalle, Zurich, La Terrasse, Château La Coste, Aix-en-Provence, East47, Singapore, McRae Bar, Sydney and Manuela, New York.
The Red Room at The Connaught London, designed by Bryan-o-Sullivan
Left, Manuela New York. Right, Kronenhalle, Zurich.
What would you love to see more of in the art world?
More cross-disciplinary collaboration and focus on the positive! When artists, designers, architects, and technologists come together, that’s when you get the most unexpected and powerful outcomes.
What would you like to see less of in the art world?
Hype, speculation and negativity!