Korean pop sensation T.O.P of boy band Big Bang makes his international curatorial debut in Singapore after surprising art lovers with an unexpected appearance at this year's edition of the premier contemporary art fair Art Stage Singapore.
The popular South Korean rapper, singer-songwriter and actor cements his art connection here with Prudential Eye Zone, a group exhibition that opens today at ArtScience Museum. This will run alongside Prudential Singapore Eye, one of the largest surveys of Singapore's contemporary art scene to date. Both exhibitions will end on June 28.
For Prudential Eye Zone, T.O.P has curated works by eight Korean and Japanese artists, together with Korean curator YoungJoo Lee.
Among the works selected are pieces by Japan's popular collective teamLab and the overall winners of this year's Prudential Eye Awards, another Japanese collective Chim-Pom.
In all, this show presents 19 artworks by 17 artists from the region.
Presenting video and digital art, installation, sculpture, painting and photography, the Prudential Eye Zone exhibition explores works of artists who work across Asia. Organisers say many of those selected for this are "on the cusp of gaining a significant international profile through the Prudential Eye Programme". This is a not-for-profit organisation dedicated to promoting and nurturing Asian artists, established by Parallel Contemporary Art.
On his curatorial debut, T.O.P says his interest in art began by admiring world-renowned contemporary artists' masterpieces, their concepts and visions.
In a statement issued to The Straits Times, he added: "Ever since I was young, I have been very sensitive not only towards music but also towards fashion and design. When I grew up, these served me well as my work revolves around expressing myself through these fields."
He says he spends a lot of time collecting designer furniture as well as artworks and very much enjoys meeting young artists and visiting their studios to see how artworks evolve.
view it
PRUDENTIAL EYE ZONE
when: Friday-June 28. 10am to 7pm. Last admission at 6pm.
where: ArtScience Museum, Marina Bay Sands
Admission: Tickets prices vary. See www.marinabaysands.com/ArtScienceMuseum
