La fine di un intervista di Ocula fatta a Serge Tiroche della Tiroche DeLeon Collection.
would like to mention one thing we are doing: an artist residency program. We are inviting emerging artists from developing countries to come and stay at my private residence in Israel. Israel is a small country with beautiful scenery. It’s culturally very interesting. My house is in an area that is Jewish, Muslim, and Christian. Ethnically it is also very interesting. Jerusalem is only 45 minutes away, and is a completely different experience. I think it will be interesting for artists to come and see the reality of Israel, and have the opportunity to perceive Israel in a very different way. Ruben Pang, our first artist in Residence, is just completing his three month stay and has painted an amazing body of work. The exhibition is fabulous and has received a lot of media coverage and collector interest. Most importantly, I can safely say it has been a very significant milestone in Ruben’s development as an artist, and nothing makes me more proud.
Tell me more about Ruben Pang?
Ruben Pang has an interesting story. We developed a whole curatorial concept for his residency. Ruben grew up in Singapore, and his father was a military person. His father had a very strong influence on Ruben as a child and they remain very close. His father was trained by the Israeli intelligence. There is a strong connection between Singapore and Israel. They are similar countries in terms of being small and surrounded by enemies.
Ruben was brought up as Christian, but his father later turned to spirituality, became a healer and an exorcist. So Ruben is very influenced by this. He paints portraits, but not of facial traits or physical persons, but of energies. He paints ghosts, spirits, apparitions, dreams. What I suggested to Ruben initially, was to follow the stories of Jesus and his disciples from the New Testament and paint his version of the scenes depicted therein, including his own version of The Last Supper. During the Residency Ruben’s thinking broadened and he painted scenes from the Old Testament as well. It’s powerful.
Are there also any plans for a physical space?
No! I don’t like that idea. I don’t think it makes a lot of economic sense if you can get the same brand recognition without the associated costs and the hassle involved. Also, we are not quite wealthy enough for that, we spend our money on the art. More importantly however, I prefer that the art travel to people, wherever they are, rather than people having to travel to visit a museum bearing my name, or showing my artworks.—[O]