For former fashion designer Watson Tan, there is more than meets the eye in a model and in an artwork. For Tan, fashion and art are inextricably linked in how they both seek to beautify what is already around us. Being in the modelling business for 20 years, Tan has developed a true “eye” for recognising inner beauty in his models at his company Upfront Models. Since 1997, he has brought in more than 500 international and national faces, transforming them from natural good lookers to great models. Today, the company is one of the most successful model management companies in the Asia Pacific region, representing male and female models from Singapore and all over the world. His belief and passion coupled with his experience has also led him to build his art gallery Art Front Gallery  in 2010.

In this interview, Watson Tan reveals what it takes to make an artwork seductive and how loyalty is a vital part to an artist’s success.

Thoughts on collecting

You started your modelling agency in 1997 but when did you officially start collecting art?
I officially started collecting art about 7 years ago.

How did it all start?
A friend told me to start collecting and investing in art. I was not very keen at first because I always like to have more knowledge on what I purchase. So I started to read more about art and understand more about art collecting.

How would you describe your collection? What do you collect in terms of artists, genre, theme?
I would like to describe my collection as being a description of my thoughts, my moods and my life. For example if I am sad, I would buy something that is more emotional. If I am happy, I would buy something that is bright and colourful.
I collect all kinds of artists, from Asian to European. However, being Asian, I do prefer Asian art as I can relate to it more. I mostly like Modern and Contemporary art.

Where do you display your collection?
My works are in my house, my agency, my storage space and some are in my gallery: Art Front Gallery.

What is your collecting strategy? Do you have a step-by-step rule?
I don’t have a collecting strategy as I buy what I like. I usually visit art fairs, art auctions and galleries all over the world to see what excites me.

What have you recently purchased and or what do you have your eyes on next?
My last purchase was a work by Arie Smit  and also a very interesting piece by Rasjid Astari, which is a metal sculpture of a Hermes Kelly bag, with a cut-out of the word “FAKE” on it. This artwork is a constant reminder of certain “friends” who were around me a few years ago. It reminds me not to trust so easily.

Are you good friends with any artists?
I am good friends with many artists like Iqi Qoror, Edo Pillu, Kim MinkYoung etc.

Can you name three emerging artists who should be on our radar?
Iqi Qoror is one of my very young and talented artists from Indonesia, who is already on the cover of art magazines. He’s definitely someone who has a bright future ahead. On 17^th September 2015, he will be having a solo exhibition in London entitled “Authority of Madness”.
The second artist is Edo Pillu. For the past 2 seasons in Christie’s Auction Hong Kong, he has received rave reviews and has successfully sold his works there. His unique painting style, together with his astounding concept, sets him apart from many other artists I know.
James Seet, my artist from Malaysia, who has also been working in the advertising field for the past 20 years, uses ceramics to create ground-breaking conceptual pieces. His works have been exhibited in Singapore, China, Thailand, Australia and U.S.A.

What are the most important elements that make an artwork seductive?
To me concepts and certain colours and technics are what make works seductive. For example, the colours, the painting techniques and movements  of the brush strokes used by an artist on an artwork can make the piece very seductive and sexual.

Fashion & Art

In fashion as well as in art, it is all about having the “eye” in regards to finding a good face that will look good on camera or recognising a good piece of art. How can one train his/ her eye? Do you think it is an innate talent?
There is not much difference between fashion and art. You need to know what is current and new in society today. You need to have taste and emotions. It does take a gift of talent and a “feeling that comes from within”.

How can you identify a beautiful piece of art?
Go with what you feel and what you’re attracted to. Each of us has an individual feeling, so what I might identify as beautiful, someone might find it ugly or vice versa.

How do you compare beauty in models and beauty in art?
After being in fashion and in the modelling industry for 20 years, a model’s beauty, to me, comes from within. His or her personality matters most to me, rather than just a beautiful face. As for art, what makes it beautiful is your internal feeling and attraction to the piece as an audience.

What is your definition of beauty?
I firmly believe that there is no such thing as ugly art or an ugly person, as beauty lies in the eye of the beholder.

Is beauty the only important thing for you?
For my work, beauty is only on the surface, which does get things going visually. But on the long term, in any industry, loyalty and other good attributes, like a pleasant personality,  are more important. Beauty doesn’t last forever, but a good person will be in people’s mind and hearts forever.

How do you recognise beauty?
To me recognising beauty is when that person or artwork catches your attention and makes you think.

What is the best piece of art you’ve ever seen? 
The best piece of art that I have ever seen was a Francis Bacon at the Pompidou Museum in Paris. It was so strong and powerful that I just stood there and looked at it for 2 hours.

What inspires you?
Everything inspires me..Music, dance, art and fashion: anything that can give me a sense of touch, smell and emotions.