By Monsi A. Serrano
In the refined world of art collecting, few things are more damaging than doubt.
For Popoy Cusi, authenticity is not a technical issue—it is a moral one.
These experiences shaped Cusi’s strongest advice to collectors and investors: authenticity must come directly from the artist—or, if the artist has passed, from their rightful heirs.
“Only the artist knows the work intimately,” the Philippines’ mastercolorist said. “Third-party authenticators may have credentials and experience, but they do not carry the lived memory, the intent, or the story behind each painting. That is why some fakes slip through.”
Cusi speaks from experience. Over the years, he has encountered forged works attributed to him—some polished enough to fool collectors across borders, others carrying certificates issued by so-called experts.
For him, the solution is clear: Heirs inherit not just property, but responsibility.
Cusi said heirs inherit not just artworks, but the artist’s legacy—making them the most legitimate custodians of authenticity.
“This protects collectors from fraud and preserves the integrity of an artist’s body of work. It is about preserving truth in art,” he said.
Despite repeated requests from galleries and auction houses—some offering fees in exchange for Certificates of Authenticity or valuations, Cusi has remained firm.
“Issuing a COA for a fake would set a dangerous precedent,” he said. “I know my work. If it is not mine, I will never authenticate it.”
For diplomats and collectors accustomed to provenance, lineage, and historical record, Cusi’s message lands with clarity: in art, credibility cannot be outsourced. It must be lived.