(Business Lounge Journal – Event) Tom Tandio is a businessman and a passionate collector based in Indonesia. He has been actively involved in the Indonesian art scene since 2007. His involvements include being on the board for the Yogjakarta Biennale from 2011 – 2013. His non-profit foundation, IndoArtNow.com, was founded in 2011 and has been archiving contemporary Indonesian artworks online till today. Through IndoArtNow.com, he has created interesting projects to increase awareness of Indonesian contemporary art internationally. Tom founded his collection of Southeast Asian contemporary art with a strong focus on Indonesia. He is part of the Art Stage Jakarta Board of Young Collectors.
An article from The Peak online described Tom as a “convert”. Meaning, Tom used to have no interest in art until his outlook was changed in 2007, when after turning an invitation from his friend who owned a gallery in Jakarta several time, Tom finally relented, and ended up buying a piece of art by a Chinese contemporary artist. Just to support his friend at first.
But then, it sparked his curiosity.
And after that, the rest is history. Today, he owns several hundred pieces in his collection.
- With your profession as a businessmen in the automotive field , what moves you to set up a non -profit art foundation ? What motivates you ?
I have been in the automotive industry for 15 years and our company has always been doing corporate social responsibility events. On a personal level, I would like to also to contribute to the art world, similar to my company’s CSR programs. I eventually started a foundation to digitally archive all Indonesian contemporary art works exhibited around the world. The website, IndoArtNow.com, allows researchers to use the data and information freely and have the latest update on art works. We also have artist profile videos for people to get a chance to meet the artist virtually and gain a better understanding of their art practice.
- Draw / Reveal your feelings towards art.
Art is about life. If you understand art, like really, truly understand art, you will live your life to the fullest.
- Do you think entrepreneurship or business in the field of art will benefit the millennials Indonesia ? If yes , what kind of business?
I think art is a very interesting industry that is founded on great passion. If you don’t have a passion for art, the art business is not suitable for you. I don’t mean this in an alienating way – art is very inspiring, and I encourage all millennials in Indonesia to look for opportunities to get to know art better. We have a major museum, MACAN, coming up soon, as well as international standard art fairs like Art Stage Jakarta, which will launch from 5 – 7 August this year. I’m on the Board of Young Collectors for Art Stage Jakarta, and I can say that the Art Stage Singapore team has worked hard to bring a Jakarta edition to the Indonesian market, because they appreciate the vibrancy and energy of Indonesian art. So it’s not a good idea to jump straight into the art business without experience, one should really start collecting and interacting with art to gain experience first.
Art Stage Jakarta will be held from 5-7 August 2016 at Sheraton Jakarta Gandaria.
Michael Judah Sumbayak adalah pengajar di Vibiz LearningCenter (VbLC) untuk entrepreneurship dan branding. Seorang penggemar jas dan kopi hitam. Follow instagram nya di @michaeljudahsumbek