“The worst thing you can do is to control an artist. I work with them to guide them along, make them understand their own motivations, inspirations, and ambitions so that I can point them in the right direction.”
There is a twinkle in Roberta Dans Thomas’ eye that never goes away, especially when she talks about visual art and artists. She talks about them like they’re as much a part of her as every breath she takes – natural and essential to life.
When it comes to art, Thomas’ energy is calm yet excited; her taste both simple and complex. Her work as gallerist, art consultant, and artist manager at Artesan keeps her schedule chaotic yet organized.
It’s a balance of yin and yang, really, and in its midst – especially during our interview – we felt her vibe and shared in her art-enthusiastic energy of beautiful nirvana.
How it all started
In 2005, Thomas was in Singapore, taking up art studies with a private tutor and courses in the Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts.
“I realized that there was no art community – one of the major reasons I set up Artesan Gallery and Studio,” she says.
Artesan started in a private residence, where Thomas had artists coming in and out. They started holding exhibitions and more and more people from the public started visiting.
“We’ve grown from there. Took up two new spaces, moved to Raffles Hotel,” Thomas shares. “In 2014, we decided that rather than having artists in a fixed box, we went out and created the concept of a floating gallery. It meant doing pop-up exhibitions, going everywhere, going abroad.”
As of our interview, Artesan had just returned from Florence where they did a two-week stint with 11 artists. Among them was 29-year-old Raffy Napay, who brought home the Lorenzo il Magnifico award, the top recognition at the Florence Biennale.
Work and purpose
We ask Thomas why she set up Artesan in Singapore instead of Manila. “The purpose is to take the Filipino artist outside his own boundaries,” she posits.
Thomas finds the art community in the Philippines very active, but the artist needs to get out of his comfort zone and see what’s happening outside, and be recognized by a different and international audience.
The international art market is a gray area for many emerging artists, and this is where Thomas’ expertise comes out. “My first question would be: If you had an ultimate goal in your life as an artist, what would it be? From their answer, I draw an outline for the next five years on a possible course they could take.”
Thomas and her company open discussions with other companies on behalf of the artist, and help build that artist’s CV.
Compatibility between her and the artist is an important thing. “There are some who – no matter how good they are – I am unable to work with,” Thomas says.
Being an artist’s manager does not mean she owns them or controls them. She sees them as children, eager to create without really knowing what they want. “When it comes to managing their careers, a lot of them are clueless,” says Thomas.
Her eyes light up as if recalling a wonderful memory. “I really like working with artists because they have such a wonderful sense of humor and a wonderful outlook on life,” she says with a laugh. “Very different from ‘normal’ people!”
Caterpillars to butterflies
For Thomas, a lot of talented artists in the Philippines are restricted by the culture and its requirements.
“I’d really like to help those who want to make something of their talent and make the Philippines proud,” she says. “It’s a way to promote the country and elevate the Filipino artist.”
One artist Thomas has worked with is Ronald Ventura.
“I never managed him per se. I worked with him when he came out to Singapore in 2007 and became an artist-in-residence with Artesan,” she says. Shortly after, Ventura did an exhibition, and was invited by the National University of Singapore Museum to do a show in 2008.
“After that show, things really changed for Ronald because it was a big eye opener for the international market,” Thomas recalls proudly. “Everybody was asking, ‘Who is this guy? He’s amazing!’”
Other artists Thomas has worked with are Wawi Navarroza, Renato and Guerrero Habulan, Leeroy New, and many others.
Why art?
“Artists have a different mindset which I like. It brings a good kind of high,” Thomas says. “When they show you what they’ve done, you can only go, ‘Wow.’ This is why I do it.”
For Thomas, art is essential in everybody’s life. It’s what takes us away from reality when we need it.
“It draws you to think and meditate more on life because there are all kinds of messages when you look at a painting or a piece of artwork,” she says. “Depending on the phase of life you’re in, you will draw different conclusions, lessons, and inspirations by just looking at art.
“Every day when you look at it, you find something new.”
Makeup and hair by Ramon “Chito” Fabello, Jr. of Creations by Lourd Ramos Salon
