Valentine Francis Willie, a key figure in Southeast Asian contemporary art, died in Kuala Lumpur on the morning of June 9 at age 71 [1, 2]. Born in Sabah, he trained as a lawyer before dedicating his career to the arts [1, 2].
In 1996, Willie co-founded Valentine Willie Fine Art (VWFA) with Mee Seen Loong, marking the start of a gallery that would become a leader in the regional art scene [1, 2]. Under his leadership, VWFA expanded from Malaysia to open branches in Singapore, Yogyakarta, and Manila [2]. In 2008, the gallery became the first to open at Singapore's Tanjong Pagar Distripark, remaining there until it closed in 2013 [1].
Willie curated key exhibitions throughout his career. In the 1990s, he spotlighted Malaysian artists including Bayu Utomo Radjikin, Awang Damit Ahmad, and Yee I-Lann [1, 2]. He organized the Asean Masterworks exhibition shown during the 1997 Asean Summit and later at the National Art Gallery [1, 2]. VWFA was the only ASEAN gallery invited to the prestigious ARCO contemporary art fair in Madrid in 2002 [2].
From 2015 to 2020, Willie served as creative director of Ilham Gallery in Kuala Lumpur, further shaping the local arts landscape [2]. In April 2026, the Valentine Willie Fine Art digital archive was launched, documenting more than three decades of his contributions to art [2].
A wake was held at the Xiao En Centre, Jalan Kuari, Cheras on June 9 and 10, followed by a funeral mass at 11:30 a.m. on June 11 at the Cathedral of St John the Evangelist in Bukit Nanas [2]. Donations in lieu of flowers may be sent to the Good Shepherd Education Fund via Good Shepherd Services at Public Bank Berhad, account number 3195 1181 03 [2].
