Publication: Lianhe Zaobao, zbNOW, p 5 Date: 6 September 2008 Headline: Dr Oei Hong Dijen - Doctor, Tobacco Entrepreneur, Art Collector V SMU

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Publication: Lianhe Zaobao, zbNOW, p 5 Date: 6 September 2008 Headline: Dr Oei Hong Dijen - Doctor, Tobacco Entrepreneur, Art Collector

Dr Oei Hong Dijen - Doctor, Tobacco Entrepreneur, Art Collector

by Goh Kay Kee

Lianhe Zaobao Now, 6 Sept 2008.

An art collector plus two artists - a large scale exhibition titled lndonesian Triple Bill will be

unveiled at the Singapore Management University (SMU). This is one of the parallel events

of the Singapore Biennale. Besides the showcase of a collection from renowned lndonesian

art collection Dr Oei Hong Djien, there will be two separate shows of works by lndonesian

artists Entang Wiharso and Nasirun. The two artists have each also donated a piece of their

work to the University's permanent collection.

Dr Oei took time out from his busy schedule to talk about how the Triple Bill came about over

email with this journalist. He said, "This is not my first time showcasing my collection in

Singapore. Some of the events where I have contributed my collection include the Singapore

Art Museum's Opening Ceremony exhibition, renowned artist Widayat, as well as the current

show on Masriadi's work. Some of my works have also been presented at Art Retreat and

the National University of Singapore. However, this is the first large scale and longest

exhibition." Dr Oei has loaned 35 artworks for this exhibition.

Dr Oei's private art museum in Magelang, Central Java, Indonesia, the place where his

tobacco plantation is located and where he built his business empire. He started collecting

art since 1980, and within 25 years, his museum had amassed over 1500 works by

lndonesian artists. He has also produced exhibitions and catalogues for lndonesian artists.

Never thought of becomin~ an art collector

Dr Oei's work keeps him very busy, but how does he find time to collect art? He said, "Buying

selling and classifying tobacco grades are key areas of the tobacco trade which will keep me

very busy for three months out of a year during harvesting time. So I engage in the arts the

rest of the time - I enjoy Latin dance and classical music, and since secondary school I have

also learnt to perform on the violin."

On his love for the arts, he said, "To me, I am not used to having four empty walls in the home

When I bought my first painting, I was not thinking about becoming an art collector. I live in

Central Java which is rich in lndonesian culture, where buying art is more for decorating the

home. My understanding in drawing and sculptor deepened as I got to know more artists and

as the years passed, art collecting became a hobby for me."

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Publication: Lianhe Zaobao, zbNOW, p 5 Date: 6 September 2008 Headline: Dr Oei Hong Dijen - Doctor, Tobacco Entrepreneur, Art Collector

My collection has a different mean in^

So are you Indonesia's biggest art collector?

The answer is, "What do you mean by the biggest art collector? If you are referring to the value

of the works, then I definitely am not. Because I collect lndonesian art, where the value still

cannot compare with works from China or Europe. If you are just looking at modern and

contemporary lndonesian works, then my collection has a different meaning."

After so many years, which artists are your good friends?

He said, "I became close friends with Affandi and Widayat. For the younger generation of artists,

when they were still in school and nobody knew them, I already noticed them and supported their

practice or bought their works."

Besides collecting, Dr Oei also researches lndonesian art. What are his thoughts on the future

developments of art?

He said, "Indonesia has many talented artists, a pity that there is no support or funding from the

government, which is more interested in sports. So lndonesian artists themselves work hard to

gain international recognition and stature. The basic issue is how do we bring our many art

talents onto the international art stage? But I think the future for lndonesian artists and their

works is very bright."

Looking at art works with heart and sight

Dr Oei said, "I started collecting art with Affandi's encouragement. He is my mentor. I often

approach him for his views when I buy art. Affandi uses his heart and eyes to view art works, I

also do the same."

So how did this exhibition come about?

Dr Oei said, "I knew the exhibition curator Joanna Lee when she was with the Singapore Art

Museum. She later arranged for me to meet with SMU over lunch which eventually led to this

loan and exhibition."

The lndonesian Triple Bill features 35 works from Dr Oei's loan collection, and solo shows of five

works each by lndonesian artists Entang Wiharso and Nasirun. They have each also donated

one of their works to SMU.

Date: 9 September - 30 October

Time: 9am - 9pm

Venue: SMU Gallery and Concourse

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Publication: Lianhe Zaobao, zbNOW, p 5 Date: 6 September 2008 Headline: Dr Oei Hong Dijen - Doctor, Tobacco Entrepreneur, Art Collector

Everlastinn friendship

Dr Oei was the key patron who supported Widayat's career. At that time, the artist was still an

unknown teacher in the art academy. Indonesia's most famous master artist Affandi has been a

mentor and close friend of Dr Oei for many years.

Affandi was a self-taught artist. He became a full-time artist in I930 and was known for his bold

and fresh colours. He loved to paint self-portraits, landscapes, still life the wayang and fighting

roosters. He painted in the Expressionist style, and was Indonesia's foremost artist. There is a

2-storey museum named after Affandi, where the second section of the museum was built from

government funds given during the reign of former Indonesia President Suharto.

Indonesia's Picasso

Widayat passed away in 2002 from a heart attack and diabetes. A hardworking and prolific artist,

he has his own private art museum in Magelang, Central Java to store and exhibit over a

thousand of his art works of oils, prints, ceramics, tribal art etc. Dr Oei describes him as

'Indonesia's Picasso'.

Source: Lianhe Zaobao O Singapore Press Holdings Limited. Permission required for reproduction.