Singapore Art Museum and Asia Pacific Breweries Foundation announce the finalists for the Asia Pacific Breweries Foundation Signature Art Prize
July 31, 2008

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 http://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 http://www.singart.com/signatureartprize/

Please refer to the following annexes for more information:

For media interviews and further information contact:

Sybil Chiew DID: 6332 3291
Senior Marcom Officer FAX: 6334 7919
Singapore Art Museum E-mail: Sybil_Chiew@nhb.gov.sg

Karen Goh DID: 6336 4813
Ruder Finn Asia FAX: 6235 7796
E-mail: gohk@ruderfinnasia.com

For more information, visit www.singart.com
Mondays to Sundays : 10am to 7pm, with extended hours and
FREE Admission on Fridays from 6pm to 9pm

Singapore Art Museum is located at 71 Bras Bash Road, Singapore 189555
General enquiries, please contact Front desk at 6332 3222.

Annex A

APB Foundation Signature Art Prize: Shortlisted Artworks

CAMBODIA
	Meas Sokhorn Untitled, 2007, Rattan and wire, 145(h) x 45(w) x 62(d) cm Nominated by Dana Langlois
	Zheng Bo The Karibu Islands, 2007 Digital video and text, Variable in Size (video length 8 mins 38 seconds) Nominated by Dr Gao Shiming
	G.R. Iranna Wounded Tools, 2007 Fiber glass, artificial fur, iron, wood, acrylic colouring, cloth, 137.2(h) x 182.9(w) x 61(d) cm (Life-sized) Nominated by Prof. Rajeev Lochan
	Ahmad Fuad B. Osman Recollections of Long Lost Memories, 2007 Slides projection, edition 2/3, Variable in size, Total 71 pieces Nominated by Anurendra Jegadeva
	Davaa Dorjderem Voice in the Space, 2006 Mixed media - bone, leather, wood, paper, 40(h) x 60(w) x 60(d) cm each, Total 3 pieces Nominated by Orna Uranchimeg-Tsultem
	S. Chandrasekaran Bleeding Angel, 2006 (with scientific collaborator Gary Cass) Alloy, Cellulose, Wine, Bacteria, Cloth, 200(h) x 100(w) x 100(d) cm Nominated by Lindy Poh
	Yeo Chee Kiong A Day Without A Tree, 2007, Mixed media, Variable in size – adjusted to respond to the architectural surrounding of site Nominated by Lindy Poh
	Anura Krishanta Baragama Arachchi Chairs, 2007 Plastic toy guns, 40(h) x 15(w) x 27(d) cm each, Total 9 units Nominated by Jagath Weerasinghe
	Chakkrit Chimnok The Body - Imagination - Dried Banana Leaf 2006, 2006, Mixed media, Variable in Size Nominated by Prof. Somporn Rodboon
	Vuong Van Thao Living Fossils, 2007 Sculpture – installation of polymer composite, painted in oil paint 25(h) x 25(w) x 30(d) cm each; 10(h) x 10(w) x 35(d) cm each, Total 4 pieces Nominated by Ms. Natalia Kraevskaia

Profiles of the artists and images of their artwork as well as the list of nominators and jurors can be downloaded from http://clients.ruderfinnasia.com.  The access details are:

Username: media_sg
No password is required
Folder: Asia Pacific Breweries Foundation Signature Art Prize

Annex B

About Singapore Art Museum

Opened in January 1996, the mission of the Singapore Art Museum (SAM) is to preserve and present the art histories and contemporary art practices of Singapore and the Southeast Asian region. To date, SAM has amassed the world’s largest public collection of modern and contemporary Southeast Asian artworks with a growing component in international contemporary art. The museum has presented shows covering both local and international art practices, traditional and cutting edge art expressions. Through strategic alliances with international arts and cultural institutions, SAM has been facilitating visual arts education, exchange, research and development within the region and internationally. Through forging collaborative partnerships and staging innovative programmes to engage different audiences, SAM aims to contribute to an enlarged role in the regional visual arts community and Asian art museology, as well as facilitating developments in art as well as the art sector in Singapore.

Annex C

About Asia Pacific Breweries Foundation

Instituted in June 1994, the Asia Pacific Breweries Foundation (APB Foundation) has been fulfilling APB's philanthropic commitment to society. Its philanthropic intent spans three areas namely Creativity Development, Human Excellence and Humanitarian Causes.

Since its inception, the Foundation has provided grants and other forms of support to over 150 initiatives, benefiting disadvantaged homes and charitable organisations, medical research bodies, theatre and music groups and scholarship programmes amongst others.

The APB Foundation envisages a fun and vibrant arts scene in Singapore. It has supported causes that cultivate artistic talent, grow audiences and develop local artistic work. Moving together with the local arts community that has blossomed over the years, the Foundation holds the hope that Singapore will soon join the ranks of nations where diverse local arts groups enjoy strong followings from all sectors of society.

Recognising that Singapore's global competitiveness lies in the hands of its people, the APB Foundation has been investing in Human Excellence causes that are designed to discover and nurture talent, and to build human capital.

The Foundation is hopeful that with its contributions, Singapore can realise an enhanced competitive edge supported by a ready pool of talents, sportsmen, educators, researchers and professionals.

In reaching out to the disadvantaged in the community, the APB Foundation seeks to play a constructive and developmental role in the community, and partners those who share common altruistic goals to better serve societal needs. The Foundation believes in enabling self-help amongst the beneficiaries so that they could rise stronger to move beyond their problems and contribute to their community or society eventually.

The APB Foundation Board of Trustees, assisted by its Advisory Committee, envisions the Foundation to play a constructive and developmental role in the community, and working with partners who share common altruistic goals to better serve societal needs both in Singapore and the Asia Pacific region.