Prudential Eye Zone opened on 3 April at ArtScience Museum as a curated selection of works by 17 contemporary artists from the thriving art scenes of Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Malaysia and Singapore. The exhibition, co-curated by Korean pop sensation T.O.P. in his curatorial debut, follows the successful run of the Prudential Eye Awards Finalists Exhibition, which was held from 17 January to 29 March 2015.
teamLab, Flowers and People – Dark, 2014, Interactive digital work, Dimensions variable
Edition of 10 + 2 APs, Courtesy of the artist
Christine Ay Tjoe, The Flying Balloon, 2013, Oil on canvas, 170 x 200 cm
Courtesy of the artist and Ota Fine Arts
Prudential Eye Zone is shown alongside Prudential Singapore Eye, one of the largest surveys of Singapore’s contemporary art scene to date, with over 40 works on display. Both exhibitions will run till 28 June.
Syaiful Aulia Garibaldi, Interstitial Organisms #2, 2014, Silicon sealant on plywood
200 x 200 cm, Courtesy of the artist and ROH Projects
Keisuke Jinba, B.T.P. (food), 2014, Acrylic on cotton, 160 x 111.8 cm, Courtesy of the artist & SCAI the Bathhouse
In addition to T.O.P., Prudential Eye Zone is co-curated by Serenella Ciclitira (Founder, Prudential Eye Programme), Honor Harger (Executive Director, ArtScience Museum at Marina Bay Sands) and independent Korean curator YoungJoo Lee.
Featuring 19 art pieces that range across video and digital art, installation, sculpture, painting and photography, the Prudential Eye Zone exhibition explores the works of artists who work across Asia, with many of them on the cusp of gaining a significant international profile through the Prudential Eye Programme.
A poetic sensibility runs through many of these exhibits, evidenced in the constantly shifting imagery of ‘Flowers and People–Dark’ by Japanese Collective teamLab, the almost abstract paintings of Indonesian painter Christine Ay Tjoe and the intricate all-over surfaces of the Japanese painter Keisuke Jinba.
Donna Ong, secret, interiors: chrysalis (19), 2006, Furniture and readymades (multi media installation), 250 x 250 x 150 cm, Courtesy of the artist
In other works, notably by Singaporean artist Donna Ong, Japanese artist Teppei Kaneuji and Indonesian artist Bagus Pandega, everyday objects are connected through visual and conceptual associations to create evocative installations and sculptures. Ambiguity is key to the work of all three artists. Social and political issues are raised in the photographs of Malaysian artist Sherman Ong and more directly addressed in the work of Japanese artists Chim↑Pom, winners of this year’s Prudential Eye Awards.
Sherman Ong, HanoiHaiku-Peacock, 2006, Digital print on archival paper
75 x 150 cm, Courtesy of the artist and Xavier G. Florenzano
On his curatorial debut, T.O.P said,
“My interest in art began from admiring world-renowned contemporary artists’ masterpieces, their concepts and visions. Traveling around Asia, this interest naturally broadened towards young and influential Asian contemporary artists. While in Asia, I had the privilege to learn about the Prudential Eye Programme and decided to participate in the programme as I deeply felt that it was a great platform to celebrate and introduce young Asian contemporary artists. I hope that everyone who visits the Prudential Eye Zone exhibition goes away inspired by the various artworks on display.”
T.O.P was involved in choosing the art pieces from the eight Korean and Japanese artists. In January 2015, he made an unexpected appearance at this year’s Art Stage Singapore.
T.O.P. at Art Stage Singapore 2015
Visitors can continue to enjoy free entry to the exhibition every first Monday of each month, which started in February and will continue on 4 May and 1 June 2015.
Dates: 3 April – 28 June 2015
Venue: ArtScience Museum at Marina Bay Sands
