Singapore Museum nominates five Indian artists

The artists` works are part of a total of 130 artworks from 24 countries that are vying for the triennial Signature Art Prize, set up in 2008, which recognizes significant works of art coming from the Asia Pacific region`s contemporary art.

Two leading art professionals, Suman Gopinath and Pooja Sood have nominated the artists whose works span different mediums such as installation, print, mixed media and photography, and discuss issues such as environment concerns.

"The Prize recognises and highlights the best in this region?s contemporary art developments in recent years," says Tan Boon Hui, Director Singapore Art Museum.

"It demonstrates Singapore Museum`s role in uncovering ground-breaking artworks of lasting significance to our region, and profiling them to an international audience or art lovers, critics and collectors," adds Boon Hui.

The Asia Pacific Breweries (APB) Foundation is funding the Signature Art Prize.

Apart from India, entries have also been received from Bangladesh, Brunei, Cambodia, China, Indonesia, Japan, Laos, Malaysia, Mongolia, Myanmar, Nepal, Oceania (Australia, New Zealand, New Caledonia and Papua New Guinea), Pakistan, Singapore, South Korea, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, Thailand and Vietnam.

A shortlist of finalists would be announced on October 1 while the winners would be named on November 18.

Delhi-based Atul Bhalla`s "Chabeel" executed in 2008 explores the significance of water to the urban environment and population of his city. He uses sand from the yamuna river along with ceramic tiles, video projection and wood.

Bhalla, 47, works which are currently being exhibited at the Centre Pompidou in Paris has been previously showcased in the Newark museum and the Fotographie Forum in Frankfurt.

Contemporary artist Prabhavathi Meppayil`s untitled series from 2010 uses a "thinnam" ( a goldsmith`s tool) on a lime gesso panel.

Meppayil, participated in 2009 Chalo! India exhibition.

Bangalore artist Ravi Shah` "Meet at Last/ the Hug" (2010) artwork uses wood from the champak flower tree. Usually working in wood Shah`s body of work also includes sculptures in other media, ink drawings, watercolour and photography.

Shebha Chhachhi`s "The Water Divininer" (2008) an installation with video, books, light boxes, light and water as well as Shreyas Karle`s "Cidiya Ud (Sparrow Fly) collage print on paper are the other nominated works.

According to Museum officials, the Grand Prize winner is set to receive 45,000 Singapore dollars. Three Jurors` Prize awardees and one People`s Choice awardee, on the other hand, will take home 10,000 Singapore dollars each.

Established in 1996, Singapore Art Museum has one of the largest public collection of modern and contemporary Southeast Asian artworks. It is partnering National Museum of India.

In February 2010, the museum had exhibited princely artifacts from the Mughal era in India featuring over 400 jewelled works- including household items, jewellery and weapons sourced from private collection in Kuwait.