Dad and son sue S’pore art gallery for fraud

Duo allegedly duped into buying imitations for over RM8mil

SINGAPORE: Believing they were investing in valuable art pieces, a Malaysian in the construction business and his father bought 13 paintings, supposedly the works of renowned Indonesian artists, for more than S$2.8mil (RM8.54mil).

But they later discovered that the paintings were imitations.

Seven paintings, bought from Singapore-based Dahlia Gallery, were assessed by an expert to be fakes worth at most US$9,131 (RM37,500).

Denis Latimer, 52, and his father Paul, 74, paid more than S$700,000 (RM2.1mil) for them.

The Latimers have sued the gallery, its owners Koh Hwee Khoon and Pang Sau Mei, as well as Quah Beng Hoe, a Malaysian collector who sold them the other six paintings for S$2.1mil (RM6.4mil).

Their case against the gallery and its owners for fraud, negligence and breach of contract opened in the High Court yesterday. The case against Quah is pending.

The lawyer for the plaintiffs, Avinash Pradhan, said in his opening statement that the younger Latimer was “duped” into buying the paintings by Koh’s fraudulent representations. Pang is accused of negligence. In October 2011, Latimer chanced upon Dahlia’s exhibition booth at the Art Expo Malaysia in Kuala Lumpur.

Two paintings caught the eye of his companion, C.J. Thomas, who had been helping him build an art collection.

Koh described them as Balinese Women At Sanur Cottage by Adrien-Jean Le Mayeur and Prayer, 1971 by S. Sudjojono.

The two men said they believed Koh when he said the works were authentic and valuable.

Latimer bought the two paintings for US$100,000 (RM410,900).

After the Art Expo, Pang sent Latimer and Thomas photos of three more paintings.

At the gallery, Koh showed Thomas a stamp at the back of the frame of a painting described as Morning Prayer, 1973 by Affandi.

Latimer bought the three paintings for S$ 300,000 (RM915,000) in December 2011.

In March 2012, he was assured that the gallery could remarket the paintings at a profit of at least S$100,000 (RM305,000), but he was advised to keep the Affandi as its value “will definitely increase”.

He bought two more paintings, including Rojak Seller by Lee Man Fong, for S$270,000 (RM823,500) that month.

Latimer said after the third deal, Koh revealed that the paintings were from Quah’s collection.

Subsequently, Latimer dealt with Quah in buying the rest of the paintings. However, Koh has denied ever telling Latimer that Quah was the collector.

The trial continues.