CEO vs tycoon
The buyer, Dr Xiaoyan Baumann is the CEO of Singapore Medical Group.
Two prominent business people in Singapore will be battling in court over an art deal that turned sour.
Dr Xiaoyan Baumann, 40, wants a refund of S$300,000 (RM735,000) for 17 paintings and a wood carving she and her husband had bought.
But the seller, Mr Tong Djoe, 82, is contesting the claim and counter- suing for S$500,000 (RM1.225mil) which he alleges was for another seven art pieces delivered to them but were not paid for.
China-born and German-educated Dr Baumann is chief executive officer of the Singapore Medical Group, which runs a cluster of specialist clinics.
Indonesia-born Mr Tong is a millionaire who made his money in shipping, petroleum and trade.
He operates out of an office in Anson Road. Among other artworks, he is said to own a Picasso.
The art pieces were by renowned Indonesian and China-based artists whose works fetch high prices at various auction houses like Christie's and Sotheby's. They include works by Affandi (1907-1990), Hendra Gunawan (1918-1983), Xu Beihong (1895-1953) and Walter Spies (1895-1939). - The Straits Times/ Asia News Network
Published Nov 17, 2009
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