We talked to Indonesia’s prominent collectors: Indro “Warkop”, Anas Alimi, Harry Darsono, Hartono Sumarsono, and Robin Makmur, about the secret life of hobbyist and passionate collector.

INDRO WARKOP

Text by LARASATI OETOMO | Photo by RUDI SULISTYA

It is pretty impossible not to stop for a while and take a look at the comedian’s house if we had a chance to pass it by. There will be dozens of choppers, cruisers, and other big motorbikes parked outside. Things get more solid as you step inside the house, where members of the motorbike family cordially greet the guests while they gather in group. The house owner, Indro, is an honored member of this Brotherhood, but he was just as affable as the rest of them.

Even when he was little, where he spent his time being a scout boy, Indro sees companionship and togetherness as a driving power for him. During college days, he joined radio clubs and further got casted as the third member of Warkop DKI, until he joined motorcycle clubs. For him, it is more than a hobby; it is a family.

ANAS ALIMI

Text by LISTYA MANOPO | Photo by FEBI RAMDHAN & ANAS ALIMI’S DOCUMENTATION

Anas Syahrul Alimi IS the CEO of Rajawali Indonesia Communication, is a well-known ‘concert architect’ who has organized many memorable entertainment events in Indonesia. His office in Yogyakarta doubles as a mini gallery of his collections, since Anas is surprisingly an avid collector of rare Vespa scooters and paintings from local and international artists. Amongst his most beloved scooters are four 70th Vespa anniversary series scooters, a Sei Giorni, a red 946 Emporio Armani, and a 946 Ricardo Italiano. Another passion of his is collecting paintings drawn by top Indonesian painters, from Jumadi Alfi, Agus Suwage, Ugo Untoro, Dipo Andy, Ong Harry Wahyu and many more.

HARRY DARSONO

Text by ADELIA AYU | Photo by ISNU DWIMARTANTO & HARRY DARSONO MUSEUM

Marcelino Dominicus Savio Harry Daroeharto Darsono –  simply known as Harry Darsono shows us how to be a great collector master, both in filling up the cabinet and life values. With splendid collections of rare pieces such as Princess of Wales crown, hand-made Borsendofer piano that was previously Frederic Chopin’s belonging, two Albert Einsten’s private letters, Chinese legendary dynasty items that had been organized in each of his four museums located in the country. “It all began in 1967 when I was 17 years old, I was collecting trains’ locomotive. They were for the Kings of Sweden and Saudi Arabia. Starting from there, I think I have to collect all of the great masterpieces from around the world,” told him.

HARTONO SUMARSONO

Text by ANNISA LAKSMINTARI | Photo by FEBI RAMDHAN

Hartono Sumarsono is an icon in the world of adiwastra (traditional cloth that originate from all corners of the archipelago), for his vast knowledge and vast collection of batik.  Among them are a vivid Japanese-inspired motif from the 1940s, which is dominated by a bright yellow hue rarely utilized in conventional batik designs, and an elegant Pekalongan batik peppered with illustrations of zoo creatures. “The most valuable pieces in my collection are bedcovers, which were last seen in the 1930s, and batik from the Dutch era,” he reveals. While the exact number of batik in his collection cannot be pinpointed, Hartono estimates his collection to be over 1000 pieces, which are partly stored and maintained in his gallery in Palmerah.

ROBIN MAKMUR

Text by VANYA GABRIELA | Photo by ISNU DWIMARTANTO

“There are many things in life that will catch your eye, but only a few will catch your heart. Pursue those,” shared Mr. Robin Makmur, art aficionado, collector and COO of ROBINA Group, owner of the new ARTOTEL Wahid Hasyim - Jakarta. Robin collects art pieces that catch his heart. “You will know if it’s the one. The sensation is like falling in love at first sight; it quickly grabs my attention and admiration. That is when I know I have to add a certain piece of art to my collection, ” Robin added exuberantly. “My favorite artist has to be Mr. Arwin Hidayat. I find his painting very raw and playful,” said Robin.

Read more of their stories on our Collectors’ Issue—available in your nearest bookstores in May 2019.