Ryan Su

Ryan’s strategic practice spans the worlds of Art, Cultural Property, Intellectual Property (IP) and general dispute resolution. Ryan represents museums, artists, curators, galleries, art consultants, collectors, creators, entrepreneurs and HNW individuals in navigating the art business landscape and advancing their overall interests in litigation, mediation, negotiation, advisory and non-contentious matters. Ryan’s practice is based in Singapore with an international reach.

Most recently, Ryan was Lead Counsel in an IP law matter in the Singapore High Court for an action against a toy manufacturer for primary and secondary infringements of an artist’s copyright, passing off, misrepresentation and breach of contract. Ryan was also Lead Counsel in an Art Law matter in the Singapore High Court where he successfully resisted in an urgent mandatory injunction.

Ryan also takes on general litigation and matters involving IP, such as disputes regarding franchise agreements, Copyright Law and Shipping & Maritime Law matters.

On the non-contentious front, Ryan has negotiated licensing of artists’ IP rights, including artworks with digital and Augmented Reality (AR) components for a world-wide campaign. He has also advised on agreements for aspects of the art business, including arts logistics, sale and purchase agreements, artist representation agreements and agreements relating to international biennales and exhibitions.

Ryan frequently writes about art and the law, including on ArtAsiaPacific, an industry publication where he is Contributing Editor. Ryan has been interviewed by The Straits Times, The Business Times, The Peak, High Net Worth, CNBC, Reuters and Channel News Asia on his work in the creative industries and the law. Ryan lectures on Building Careers & Managing Collections: Artists and Collectors and Law & Crisis: Recent Legal & Ethical Issues in the Global Art Industry for Christie’s Education.

Ryan holds an LLB (Hons.) and an LLM in International Dispute Resolution & Economic Law (Lond.). He is an accredited mediator with the Volunteer Lawyers for the Arts (New York) and a panel arbitrator with the Court of Arbitration for Art (The Hague). Ryan was awarded the Patron of the Arts Award in 2017 and 2020, and the Patron of Heritage Award in 2020 by the Singapore Government.

Helping you succeed in tomorrow's world

As an art lawyer, I represent museums, artists, curators, galleries, art consultants, collectors, creators, entrepreneurs and HNW individuals in navigating the art business landscape and advancing their overall interests in litigation, mediation, negotiation, advisory and non-contentious matters.

Like other alternative asset classes, consumption of the arts will naturally increase as people become more open to and educated in the arts.