Arranged in giant geometric shapes on the floor of Sculpture Square, an arts space in Middle Road, the rice will be given away to charities after the exhibition, which is on till July 13.

The 44-year-old artist says: 'There's more poverty in Asia than ever before, with natural disasters, political turmoil and the rising cost of living. This piece is a direct response to that.'

Due to its perishable nature, the artwork will be re-arranged with a fresh batch of rice every two to three days.

'I'm not a rich man,' he says, adding that he could not afford to buy a big amount of rice and donate it. So, he decided to use his funding grant to buy rice, create an art piece out of it, then give it away.

'It could do more for the greater good,' he says.

You can chip in, too. Zai invites all viewers to participate and contribute a bowl of rice to the artwork.

And visitors have responded in droves. Since the official opening on Sunday, about 200kg of rice has been donated.

All rice donations will go to various beneficiaries such as the Catholic Welfare Service, Singapore (CWS) Darul Ihsan Orphanage, Singapore Kampung Senang Charity & Education Foundation and Marine Parade Family Service Centre and Food Not Bombs.

Read the full story in Thursday's edition of The Straits Times' Life!