Delfina Foundation Presents: Collecting with Purpose
What is the evolving role of collectors in developing the arts eco-system in Asia? Drawing on Delfina Foundation’s renowned Collecting as Practice programme, this panel explores the politics, philosophy and psychology of collecting through the ‘origin stories’ of collectors Daisuke Miyatsu (Japan), Quynh Nguyen (Vietnam) and Tony Lyu (South Korea). Each of their personal journeys reveal a common purpose and aspiration to transform their private passion for the arts into public impact.
Speakers:
Tony Lyu – Angel Investor, South Korea
Daisuke Miyatsu – Collector, Professor at Yokohama University of Art and Design, Board Member, Mori Art Museum
Quynh Nguyen – Founder of Nguyen Art Foundation, Vietnam
Moderated by:
Aaron Cezar – Founding Director, Delfina Foundation, London
Tony Lyu – Angel Investor, South Korea
Tony Lyu is an angel investor focusing on the technology, consumer, and content industries. He is also an advisor at SBVA (formerly SoftBank Ventures Asia), a venture capital investment firm.
In 2013, Tony founded Korbit, Korea’s first cryptocurrency exchange, and served as its initial CEO until 2018, guiding the company through its acquisition by NXC Corporation in 2017.
Tony also co-founded TIDE Institute, a non-profit organization providing technology entrepreneurship education since 2011. His philanthropic activities include serving in the Council of the Serpentine Galleries, in the Asian Art Circle at the Guggenheim Museum, and as a Global Ambassador at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA).
Tony holds a bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering from Cooper Union in New York and a master’s degree in Financial Economics from the University of London.
Daisuke Miyatsu – Collector, Japan
Daisuke Miyatsu, Phd. Art collector, Professor at Yokohama University of Art and Design, board member of Mori Art Museum.
Born in Tokyo in 1963. Received his PhD in Art Production at the Graduate School of Global Arts at the Tokyo University of the Arts. His background includes working in public relations and human resources management for publicly traded companies. before accepting a position as a university professor. Also brought a new style to the art world as artistic director of Kinan Art Week 2021 and “Fukuoka Art Next Week” 2022 which was different from existing art festivals. He is also known as a collector of contemporary art, and his large collection exhibition Invisibleness is Visibleness (2011) at the Taipei Museum of Contemporary Art (Taipei) and the unique collaborative exhibition Emotional Asia (2022) with the Fukuoka Asian Art Museum has attracted much attention.
He has authored, contributed to, and lectured on numerous topics, including, “How Will the New Corona Change Art?” and “Art × Technology Age” (Kobunsha Shinso) and, “Contemporary Art Economics—Art in the Age of De-Oil, AI, and Virtual Currency” (WAYTS, Co. Ltd).
Quynh Nguyen – Founder of Nguyen Art Foundation, Vietnam
Quynh Nguyen is a prominent businesswoman and dedicated patron of the arts and education. Since 1995, she has been the founder and CEO of Viet Huong JSC, a leading flavour and fragrance company in Vietnam. Her commitment to education began in 2007 with the co-founding of the Renaissance International School Saigon. In 2014, she established the International Modern Art Gallery (IMA Gallery) in Houston, Texas, where she also served as director. Upon her return to Vietnam, she co-founded the EMASI Schools, where the arts are integral to the schools’ missions and curricula. In 2018, she marked a significant milestone by establishing Nguyen Art Foundation (NAF), an initiative focused on fostering opportunities and platforms for artists and art professionals.
Aaron Cezar – Founding Director, Delfina Foundation, London
Over the last 15 years, Aaron has positioned Delfina Foundation as a meeting point and incubator of creative talent, forming partnerships with leading institutions internationally. He has devised Delfina Foundation’s ground-breaking thematic programmes such as Collecting as Practice, the first ever integrated residency programme for collectors and artists.
Aaron has curated external exhibitions, performances and programmes at Hayward Gallery Project Space, SongEun Artspace, ArtBo, and Art Dubai, to name a few. As part of the official public programme of the 58th Venice Art Biennale, he conceived the opening week and final weekend performances with Ralph Rugoff. Aaron has moderated high profile discussions in conferences as well as in the context of art fairs including Art Basel, Frieze and Art Brussels. He has written for The Art Newspaper, Harper’s Bazaar, and ArtAsiaPacific, among others. In 2019, together with Dani Burrows, he edited the book Politics of Food stemming from Delfina Foundation’s popular programme.
Aaron is a Strategic Advisor to Asymmetry Art Foundation and Kunsthalle Praha. He has been appointed to numerous boards and committees, currently including All Change Arts, Caribbean Art Initiative, Dhaka Art Summit, and Alserkal Avenue. He is a member of the jury for the 2023 Korea Art Prize and has served on other juries including the Turner Prize (2021), Samdani Artist Award (2012-2023), Oskár Čepan Award (2022), LIVE WORKS Performance Art Award (2016), Jarman Award (2012), MOP CAP (2018), and the Absolut Creative Competition (2019), to name a few.
Prior to Delfina Foundation, Aaron worked as Project Director of Metal, the artistic laboratory space established by Jude Kelly OBE, ultimately becoming Managing Director of Metal’s arts-based consultancy overseeing creative projects with a focus on urban regeneration. He has also worked with London 2012, as part of its culture team that secured London’s Olympic bid; at The Place, London; and in New York, as a management consultant.
Aaron was awarded an Honorary Fellowship from the Royal College of Arts, London in June 2017. He earned a postgraduate degree with distinction in the Creative & Cultural Industries from King’s College London. He graduated from Princeton University with a first degree in Economics and a certificate in Dance and Theatre.