Deepika Shetty
Arts Correspondent
Celebrated London-based collaborative duo Gilbert & George will present new work for the fifth edition of Art Stage Singapore.
While details of the work are not available, the Turner Prize-winning duo are likely to create a large installation specially for the fair.
Gilbert Proesch, 71, and George Passmore, 72, cut distinctive figures in the contemporary art scene in their tweed suits and their art has attracted media attention because it has featured nudity and bodily excretions.
The fair, which will be held from Jan 22 to 25 at Marina Bay Sands, returns with over 130 galleries, largely from the Asia Pacific region.
Among the Singapore works to look out for are Suzann Victor's red pendulous installation of chandeliers titled Contours Of A Rich Manoeuvre, which will be displayed in a prominent space at the fair.
Other highlights include a curated South-east Asia Platform, the introduction of a Russia Platform and a new Video Platform. Each of these platforms feature works selected by curators appointed by the fair. The idea is to have curated sections alongside works from commercial galleries.
Fair director Lorenzo Rudolf said: "As Asia's most innovative fair, Art Stage Singapore continues to focus on South-east Asia, presenting the region's energy and dynamic creativity."
The fair has appointed independent Singapore curator Khim Ong as the curator of the South-east Asia Platform.
She has picked two Singapore artists for the South-east Asia Platform: Multi-disciplinary artist and 2013 Young Artist Award recipient Zaki Razak, 35, and Chong Weixin, 26, who graduated with a Masters in Printmaking from London's College of Art. Other Singapore artists included in the platform are: Mike Chang, 32, Hilmi Johandi, 27 and Choy Ka Fai, 35.
Art Stage is also strengthening art partnerships and networks in the region. To do this, it has appointed prominent Indonesian businessman and collector Tom Tandio as its regional director for Indonesia.
Mr Rudolf says this is a step forward as "Indonesia is South-east Asia's biggest art market and a prominent market for us. We also need to connect and match-make the South-east Asian art scenes."
