JAKARTA.- Art Stage Jakarta, Indonesia’s first premium art fair of international format closes its inaugural edition on an exuberant note with strong visitor turnout and robust sales. The fair drew a total of 15,180 visitors over three days from 5 to 7 August 2016, attracting collectors, artists, art professionals and the general public. Visitors to the fair included prominent Indonesian collectors Deddy Kusuma, Alex Tedja, Dr. Ir. Ciputra, Caecil Papadimitriou, Rudy Akili, Haryanto Adikoesoemo, Alexandra Prasetio, Dr. Hong Djien Oei, Prasodio Winarko, Susan Santoso, and international collectors Datuk Marcus Tan and Datuk Noor Azman from Malaysia, Daisuke Miyatsu from Japan, Adrian Garcia and Lindsay Licup from the Philippines; top Indonesian socialites Maria Lukito, Dian Mulyadi, Farah Quinn and Millie Stephanie; and artists Heri Dono, I Nyoman Masriadi, FX Harsono, Agus Suwage, Handiwirman, Titarubi and Chinese artists Yue Minjun and Chen Wenling.
“Art Stage Jakarta’s inaugural edition has performed incredibly well by all measures. I have visited many international fairs this year and can proudly say that Indonesia has become a competitive player in the global art market today. I was at the fair for the three days and all the galleries told me that they have sold well,” said Wiyu Wahono, internationally experienced contemporary art collector.
Art Stage Jakarta received the unwavering support of the entire Indonesian collector community, contributing greatly to the Fair’s success and impressively claiming its position on the global art fair circuit. “I am extremely proud and happy to see the Art Stage brand taking root in Indonesia as it puts us on the international map. It has firmly established Indonesia as a competitive art market. I am proud that together we realised my dream: Indonesian art goes international,” said Deddy Kusuma, collector and President, Board of Art Patrons, Art Stage Jakarta.
“This first experience in Indonesia has been an extraordinary journey for us. Art Stage Jakarta has opened the doors to a new world of collectors who have enthusiastically welcomed us with such a warm embrace. Over the last three days, the top collectors in the country have invited us to their homes, shared their love for art with us, showed an incredible curiosity for new artists and have also bought actively,” said Ms Christa Schuebbe of Schuebbe Projects from Germany.
Both Indonesian and international galleries made early sales on the opening day, which continued strongly over the next two days. Indonesia’s Nadi Gallery reported brisk sales especially for Indonesian artist Handiwirman’s works. ROH Projects also saw good sales for works by Indonesian artists Arin Dwihartanto Sunaryo, Syaiful Aulia Garibaldi, Syagini Ratna Wulan and Singaporean artist Jeremy Sharma. Collectors also snapped up works by I Nyoman Masriadi at Galeri Canna, and all but two artworks by Edi Susanto presented by Lawangwangi Gallery were sold.
"I am happy because we finally have a good art fair in Jakarta, Indonesia. I hope Art Stage Jakarta will continue to do this as the fair will have a positive impact on our society," Biantoro Santoso, Founder, Nadi Gallery noted.
“I congratulate the whole Art Stage Jakarta team for its dynamic and wonderful first edition. Art Stage Jakarta gave a much needed jolt of energy to the Indonesian art scene and infrastructure. Every detail was articulated with finesse, and we are looking forward to being a part of and supporting the fair again next year,” said Junior Tirtadji, Director ROH Projects.
Art Stage Jakarta was also the platform for international galleries to introduce their international artists to Indonesian collectors. “Art Stage Jakarta surpassed my expectations. I was very surprised to see many new faces that we have never seen before. I heard that there have been a lot of good sales and we also have done very well. This is because of the strong branding of the Fair,” observed Vera Wijaya, Founder, Galerie Sogan & Art.
"We're extremely heartened by this first edition of Art Stage Jakarta. It's been a pleasure to watch Art Stage expand beyond Singapore and be able to consolidate our relationships with collectors in Jakarta. We've enjoyed a fantastic reception and look forward to returning,” said Pearl Lam, Founder, Pearl Lam Galleries.
In addition to the artworks presented by 49 international and Indonesian galleries, the success of Art Stage Jakarta was also bolstered by two museum-like special exhibitions - Affandi: The Human Face and Expose: The Collectors’ Show. Once again, it was the unstinting support of the collectors through the loan of masterpieces from their private collections to these two exhibitions that made them possible. The Fair was also noted for its comprehensive VIP programme, which included seven exclusive visits to the homes of top Indonesian collectors to view their private collections. These visits gave Art Stage Jakarta VIPs unprecedented insights into the rarefied world of art collecting in Indonesia.
“I am overwhelmed by the warm welcome and support that we have received from the entire art community in Indonesia. All the collectors had come out to support us by not only buying artworks but by opening up their homes and sharing their amazing collections with our guests from Indonesia and abroad. For this I am extremely grateful. It reminds me of the moment in Miami when the city’s collectors welcomed and actively supported me in bringing a new art fair to the city,” said Lorenzo Rudolf, Founder and President Art Stage Jakarta.
The first edition of Art Stage Jakarta was held at the Sheraton Grand Jakarta Gandaria City from 5 to 7 August 2016. Art Stage Singapore, the flagship art fair of Southeast Asia and anchor event of the Singapore Art Week will be held from 12 to 15 January 2017.
