Valentine Willie, champion of SEA art, dies at 71

MANILA, Philippines — Valentine Willie, widely regarded as one of Southeast Asia’s most influential gallerists and art collectors, died at the age of 71 on Tuesday, June 9, 2026. Born on August 26, 1954, in Sandakan, Sabah, Malaysia, Willie first ventured into the world of art during his law student years in London, where he found refuge in the city’s museums. After returning to Malaysia in 1978, his legal career took him throughout Southeast Asia, including the Philippines, Indonesia, and Thailand which deepened both his appreciation of the region’s cultures and his commitment to collecting its art. READ: An alternative […]... Keep on reading: Valentine Willie, champion of SEA art, dies at 71