Brazilian-born American businessman and international art collector Marcio Fanti has paid K46,000 for Hela II, a painting by renowned Papua New Guinean artist Jeffry Feeger, after unexpectedly stumbling upon an art exhibition in Port Moresby on Tuesday evening.
The Seattle-based businessman, chief executive officer of International Brokerage Inc., a United States customs brokerage company, was captivated by the acrylic-on-canvas painting during the Sovereign Vibe exhibition and auction at the Sheraton Port Moresby Hotel & Suites.
What began as a casual visit to the hotel lobby turned into an unforgettable evening for Fanti, who not only secured Hela II for K46,000 but also met Prime Minister Hon. James Marape and Tourism Minister Hon. Belden Namah.
The exhibition, themed A Portrait of the Nation After Its First Fifty Years, celebrates Papua New Guinea’s cultural identity, people and artistic talent.
Fanti had recently returned from a diving holiday at Walindi Plantation Resort in Kimbe, West New Britain Province, and was staying at the Sheraton when he heard activity downstairs.
Curiosity led him to the exhibition, where he immediately became captivated by several paintings.
“I just started looking at every single one as fast as I could, and I said, ‘Oh my God, I want that one,’” he recalled enthusiastically.
An experienced art collector with an extensive private collection, Fanti decided to participate in the live auction.
He quietly positioned himself behind other bidders before making his move.
Rather than increasing his offers by small amounts, he decided to make the bidding more exciting by raising his bids in increments of US$1,000, equivalent to approximately K4,500.
“At home, we do thousand-dollar increments. Everybody starts fighting for it, and it becomes more exciting,” he explained.
His enthusiasm eventually paid off when he successfully secured Hela II for K46,000.
Tourism Minister Namah Offers to Ship Painting to United States
The evening became even more memorable when Fanti met Prime Minister Marape and Tourism Minister Namah, who welcomed his enthusiasm for Papua New Guinea’s art, culture and natural beauty.
During their conversation, Fanti explained that he was travelling extensively and was due to visit the Philippines, Palau and New Zealand before eventually returning to Seattle.
He expressed concern about safely transporting his newly acquired painting through several countries.
Tourism Minister Namah immediately offered to assist by arranging for the artwork to be professionally packaged and shipped directly to Fanti’s address in the United States through DHL.
“All you need to do is give your address to Jeffrey, and I will help him send it to you,” Minister Namah told him.
Fanti was delighted by the gesture.
“Thank you so much. I appreciate it,” he responded.
The businessman repeatedly expressed his admiration for Papua New Guinea.
“You guys have a great country. I got goosebumps. I love it here,” he said.
From Brazil to International Business Success
Born in Brazil, Fanti moved to the United States at the age of 15, where he completed his schooling and attended college.
He subsequently obtained a licence from the US Treasury Department to become a US Customs House broker.
In 1999, he established his own company, which developed into an international business with offices in Tokyo, Hong Kong, Shanghai, Seattle, Portland and Los Angeles.
Today, his company maintains offices in Seattle, Los Angeles, Costa Rica and Vietnam.
His business specialises in customs clearance and regulatory requirements involving US government agencies responsible for agriculture, food and drugs, fish and wildlife, and other imported goods.
Fanti said he had gradually reduced the size of his business to allow more time for travel and personal interests.
Apart from his business career, he has a lifelong passion for architecture and fine art.
“My father was an architect, and I went to architecture school,” he explained.
His extensive private art collection includes works from Brazil, the United States and other countries.
He said some of the artists represented in his collection also had works displayed at the famous Guggenheim Museum in New York.
“I have a very extensive artwork at home. It’s eclectic. I have a lot of art from Brazil, a lot of US art,” he said.
“I love art.”
His K46,000 acquisition of Hela II from Papua New Guinea will now join that international collection.
Kimbe Bay Diving Experience Leaves Lasting Impression
Fanti was equally enthusiastic about Papua New Guinea’s extraordinary marine environment, particularly his diving experience at Walindi Plantation Resort in Kimbe Bay.
An experienced international traveller and passionate scuba diver, he described the underwater environment as spectacular.
“I love it here in the Pacific. Pristine. It’s beautiful. I mean, the diving in Kimbe Bay was pretty amazing,” he said.
“My life is diving. That’s my passion.”
He said Papua New Guinea’s natural beauty had left a lasting impression on him.
His meeting with Prime Minister Marape and Tourism Minister Namah provided an opportunity to share his experiences of the country’s tourism attractions.
Prime Minister Marape encouraged Fanti to promote Papua New Guinea internationally.
“My contribution to you coming to my country is just promote my country. That’s all I want,” the Prime Minister told him.
Fanti assured him that he had already been doing so.
“Believe me, I have already,” he replied.
He said he had been encouraging friends, colleagues and employees to visit Papua New Guinea.
“I told my employees they have to come here,” he said.
He specifically mentioned a manager working for his company in Vietnam whom he had encouraged to visit the country.
Fanti’s enthusiasm for Papua New Guinea’s marine attractions, combined with his appreciation of local art, highlighted the country’s potential to attract visitors interested in diving, culture and unique travel experiences.
Serious Illness Inspired Journey Around the World
Behind Fanti’s enthusiasm for travel is a deeply personal story.
He revealed that he had suffered a serious illness lasting approximately a year, an experience that changed his outlook on life.
After recovering, he decided to spend more time exploring the world and pursuing his passions.
For the past two and a half years, he has travelled extensively through Asia, Europe and other destinations.
Earlier this year, he visited Antarctica, which he described as a phenomenal experience.
His current journey is taking him through the South Pacific, while he plans to spend an entire year travelling through Africa beginning in January 2027.
“I was very sick for a year. When I got back, I just started to travel,” he explained.
“I’ve been all over the world.”
Despite having visited some of the world’s most remarkable destinations, Fanti said Papua New Guinea had captured his imagination.
K46,000 Hela II Purchase Highlights Value of PNG Art
Fanti’s purchase of Hela II for K46,000 highlights the potential of contemporary Papua New Guinean art to attract international collectors and command substantial prices.
The Sovereign Vibe exhibition marks a significant milestone for Feeger, bringing together 48 original artworks, including 36 canvases painted live during his residency at the Sheraton between March and August 2026.
Born in Kerema, Gulf Province, in 1983, Feeger has established himself as one of Papua New Guinea’s internationally recognised contemporary artists.
His work has been exhibited internationally, including in Shanghai, Auckland and New York.
The exhibition celebrates Papua New Guinea’s cultural diversity, people and evolving national identity following the country’s 50th anniversary of independence in 2025.
The opening night featured cocktails, live music and an auction, with the exhibition continuing until November 2.
For Fanti, what began as a casual walk through a hotel lobby became an unforgettable introduction to Papua New Guinea’s artistic talent.
His K46,000 painting, Hela II, will eventually find a place among his international collection, serving as a permanent reminder of his visit to Papua New Guinea.
His meeting with Prime Minister Marape and Tourism Minister Namah added another memorable dimension to an experience that had already left him deeply impressed by the country’s people and natural beauty.
More importantly, Papua New Guinea has gained an enthusiastic international advocate for its art, culture and tourism.
As he prepared to continue his travels, Fanti made one thing clear.
He intends to return.
“I’ll be back,” he promised.
“I’m blessed.”