The History of T'ang Haywen Archives: A Legacy Built by Philippe Koutouzis
T'ang Haywen Archives is a non-profit organization dedicated to the study, authentication, and preservation of the oeuvre of T'ang Haywen, a pioneering Chinese-French artist whose work bridges Eastern and Western artistic traditions. Established in 2015, the Archives serves as the primary authority on T'ang Haywen's art, compiling the artist's catalogue raisonné, conducting rigorous authentication processes, and promoting scholarly research and public appreciation of his legacy.
Philippe Koutouzis examines a painting by T'ang Haywen before its auction at Sotheby's Hong Kong. This painting is now part of the M+ Museum collection.
The Archives was founded by Philippe Koutouzis, a leading expert in modern and contemporary art with 40 years of experience in the international art market.
Koutouzis's journey into the world of T'ang Haywen began in 1991, following the artist's death. Recognizing the profound significance of T'ang's work and the transformative role of Asian cultures in modern art, Koutouzis dedicated himself to studying the artist's life and legacy. This passion led him to specialize in Modern and Contemporary Chinese Art, a nascent discipline at the time, and establish himself as the foremost authority on T'ang Haywen.
Koutouzis's career spans curatorial work, art consultancy, and scholarly research. In 1997, his efforts in coordinating the Yonfan Manshih donation to the Guimet National Museum of Asian Arts in Paris earned him the title of Representative (Chargé de Mission) of the institution.
From 2003 to 2010, he served as the Director of the Asia Program at Marlborough Gallery in New York, where he played a pivotal role in developing the gallery's presence in Asia and contributing to significant projects in Europe.
His expertise in art investment and placement has facilitated the acquisition of works by masters such as Matisse, Rodin, Sanyu, Zao Wou-Ki, Chu Teh-Chun, and T'ang Haywen for private and public collections of international repute.
Koutouzis is a sought-after speaker at prestigious art forums and institutions, including Asia Society, Christie's, Sotheby's, the Asian American / Asian Research Institute (AAARI), and the Authentication in Art Congress in The Hague. He is also a regular contributor to art and lifestyle publications in both the West and Asia. In 2002, he published his first monograph on T'ang Haywen, titled Paths of Ink, which remains a seminal work on the artist.
On the occasion of the decoration of Mr. Yonfan Man-shih by French President Mr. Jacques Chirac in 1997 at the Élysée Palace in France, following a significant donation to the Guimet Museum arranged by Mr. Philippe Koutouzis. From left to right: French President Jacques Chirac; art expert Philippe Koutouzis; filmmaker and art collector Yonfan Man-shih; archaeologist and former Director of the Guimet Museum, Jean-François Jarrige.
A letter from French President Jacques Chirac to Mr. Philippe Kououzis, expressing his appreciation for T'ang Haywen's artistic creations and Koutouzis' ongoing efforts to preserve the artist's legacy.
As Chairman of T'ang Haywen Archives, Koutouzis oversees the compilation of the artist's catalogue raisonné and advises on artistic projects and publications. He is the copyright owner of T'ang Haywen's work and a member of ADAGP in Paris. Koutouzis is also a recognized art expert by the Union Française des Experts (UFE) and a contributor to the Court of Arbitration for Art (CAFA) in The Hague.
Koutouzis's career has not been without challenges. Between 2011 and 2018, he faced legal disputes over his expertise and rights to T'ang Haywen's work. These were definitively resolved in his favor by the French Court of Cassation (equivalent to the French Supreme Court) in February 2018, in a decision widely covered in art publications such as Le Journal des Arts, The Art Newspaper, Art Forum, and Art Asia Pacific.
Today, under Koutouzis's leadership, T'ang Haywen Archives continues to champion the artist's legacy, organizing major events, such as the 2024 exhibition at the Guimet Museum in Paris.
The Archives stands as a testament to Koutouzis's unwavering commitment to artistic integrity, scholarly rigor, and the preservation of cultural heritage.