Four Singapore artists - Ang Song Nian, Sarah Choo, Robert Zhao Renhui and Urich Lau - are among 30 finalists vying for a major regional art prize.

The Sovereign Asian Art Prize, with an award of US$30,000 (S$37,368), is the largest regional award for art. It was founded in 2003 by the Sovereign Art Foundation, which is set up by a global group of financial companies.

The prize drew nominations for 280 artists from 12 countries by 53 art professionals such as art critics, lecturers and curators.

Artists Choo, 24, and Lau, 39, are first-time finalists while Ang, 30, has made the short list for the second time and Zhao, 31, the third time.

The winning artist will be selected by a panel of five judges, including Mr Lars Nittve, executive director of the Hong Kong museum M+, and Ms Emi Eu, director of the Singapore Tyler Print Institute.

The winner will be announced on May 9 at a gala dinner in Hong Kong.