MACAN, in Jakarta, is Indonesia’s global standard contemporary art museum
Fenessa Adikoesoemo and Venus Lau are at the helm of MACAN, Indonesia?s premier contemporary art institution, founded by Fenessa?s father art collector, Haryanto Adikoesoemo. They speak with LUX Leaders & Philanthropists Editor Samantha Welsh, about their mission to foster cultural engagement across the ten nations of Southeast Asia, to further enhance MACAN?s reputation, and to elevate the perception of Indonesian contemporary art to the rest of the world.
LUX: Fenessa, why was your father’s focus drawn to collecting contemporary art"
Fenessa Adikoesoemo: He started collecting in 1992 after he visited a collector friend?s house in Bali. He saw how art can transform a home and made it feel more alive, so he began exploring the idea of acquiring art for his own house. He started with a lot of impressionist art. Unfortunately, when the financial crisis hit in 1997, he had to sell his beloved art collection.
When he started collecting again in 2001, the prices of impressionist works had gone through the roof. That was when he was introduced to contemporary art, and he fell in love with it. He feels that contemporary art is more in touch with our current times?a reflection of the world we live in today, capturing the essence of modern issues, societal trends, and cultural shifts.

On a more personal level, art has had a profound impact on my father?s life. It has served as a source o...