Singapore Art Museum and Asia Pacific Breweries Foundation announce the finalists for the Asia Pacific Breweries Foundation Signature Art Prize
31 July 2008
www.nhb.gov.sg/SAM/signatureartprize
The Singapore Art Museum (SAM) and Asia Pacific Breweries (APB) Foundation have announced the 10 shortlisted artists for the inaugural Asia Pacific Breweries (APB) Foundation Signature Art Prize.
A panel of international jurors selected the 10 finalists from an initial list of 34 nominees from 12 countries. The shortlisted artworks are from Cambodia, China, India, Malaysia, Mongolia, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Thailand and Vietnam.
The distinguished jury comprises Henri Chen KeZhan, one of Singapore’s most established artists and a pioneer in contemporary Chinese painting; Simon Israel, Chairman of the Board of Trustees at Asia Pacific Breweries Foundation; Kwok Kian Chow, Director of the Singapore Art Museum; Dr Apinan Poshyananda, Director-General of the Office of Contemporary Art and Culture, Ministry of Culture, Thailand and Professor Xu Jiang, President of the China Academy of Art, People’s Republic of China.
“The judges were struck by the concepts behind the 10 finalist works and how these ideas were conveyed creatively through the artists’ use of mediums and choice of material.” Dr Apinan Poshyananda said.
“We were impressed by the overall quality of the entries and what this signifies in the Asia Pacific art scene,” he added, referring to the 34 nominated artworks from which the jury had to shortlist the finalists.
In mid-October, the 10 finalists will be judged for five awards – three Juror’s Choice Awards of SGD 10,000 each, a SGD 10,000 People’s Choice Award and the Grand Prize of SGD 45,000.
The finalist artworks were shortlisted from a collection of 34 contemporary artworks selected by the nominators in each of the 12 eligible countries – Cambodia, China, India, Laos, Malaysia, Mongolia, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Thailand and Vietnam. With their diverse themes and mediums, the nominated artworks represent what the nominators – who are knowledgeable and experienced individuals in contemporary art – consider outstanding contemporary artwork produced in their country in the last three years.
The People’s Choice Award is distinctive in that it is the only award that is not conferred by the jury. Rather, it is bestowed on the finalist artist whose work receives the most public votes on an online voting website which will be launched on 1 August. The voting website is intended to be a platform for the public to vote for their favourite artwork. Voting on the website ends at 7 pm on 12 October.
To cast your vote and have your favourite finalist piece conferred The People’s Choice Award, visit www.nhb.gov.sg/sam/signatureartprize/vote.html
In addition, for three days, 10 to 12 October, people can also cast their vote onsite at the Singapore Art Museum as an exhibition of the finalist artworks will be held at the museum from 10 October to 16 November 2008. Onsite and online voters will be entered in a lucky draw, the prize for which is a Canon digital camera.
The APB Foundation Signature Art Prize is a hallmark of distinction to be awarded triennially to artists whose works represent a significant development in contemporary art. The award series is the result of a 15-year partnership announced in October 2007 between SAM and APB Foundation to develop and promote contemporary visual art in the Asia Pacific region with a donation of SGD 2.25 million from APB Foundation.
More information on the ABP Foundation Signature Art Prize can be found at www.nhb.gov.sg/SAM/signatureartprize
For media interviews and further information contact:
Sybil Chiew
Senior Marcom Officer
Singapore Art Museum
DID: 6332 3291
FAX: 6334 7919
E-mail: Sybil_Chiew@nhb.gov.sg
Karen Goh
Ruder Finn Asia
DID: 6336 4813
FAX: 6235 7796
E-mail: gohk@ruderfinnasia.com
