The 3m-tall sculpture, made of cast stainless steel, will resemble a giant toy kit that has pieces of items that families need for a trip to the park, such as picnic baskets and bicycles. But it will have an empty space in a corner for visitors to complete the picture.

Tan, 29, who is completing his postgraduate studies at the prestigious School of the Art Institute of Chicago, is the winner in the open category in the 3rd CDL Singapore Sculpture Award.

Of his work, which won him $10,000, he says it is an incomplete toy kit with the absence of human figures - and that's where the human interaction comes in.

As a child, he used to go on frequent family excursions to East Coast Park and he says 'it's always the people, not material things, that etch events like these into memories'.

Cultural Medallion winner and sculptor Han Sai Por, a judge in the competition, says Tan's work is relevant to its outdoor location as it 'interacts with people too'.

The biennial award is presented by property developer City Developments Limited (CDL) to promote greater interest in the sculptural artform while enriching the landscape.

There were 162 entries this year. All were home-grown submissions and there were eight winning works in two categories - student and open.

As winner of the open category, Tan will have the opportunity to have his piece commissioned and installed.

His sculpture will be sited adjacent to the new Extreme Skate Park near the Lagoon Food Centre. The park is expected to be completed by the middle of next year.

Winning works are commissioned for a specific site, with the commissioning and installation costs borne by CDL.

The winning work for the first award, the Reed Sculpture, was commissioned for $120,000.

It was installed at The Pier along Robertson Quay early this year. Designed by assistant professor Peter Chen at Nanyang Technological University, the sculpture is of reeds that used to grow along the Singapore River.

Plans to do the same for second award-winner Yeo Chee Kiong and his sculpture of clouds, rain drops and a tree at the upcoming City Square Mall in Kitchener Road are underway.

CDL is also partnering the National Parks Board (NParks) for the competition.

From this year, NParks will offer sites in new or existing parks or new park connectors.

CDL's managing director Kwek Leng Joo says this 'will render the winning works more accessible to all'.

taysc@sph.com.sg

An exhibition of the eight winning works and a selection of entries is on at the Singapore Art Museum till Sept 26, 10am to 7pm (Sat - Thu) and 10am to 9pm (Fri). Admission is free.