A large hand emerges from the ground, index finger pointing skyward. What lies in the earth beneath? Singaporean artist Lim Soo Ngee hopes viewers will let their imagination run wild and ponder this question.

In his own imagination, this was once part of a colossal statue that guided the ships of an ancient, mythical civilisation.

But the statue collapsed and, being too large to be moved, was left to nature.

Entitled Inscription Of The Island, the bronze sculpture was lowered onto the front lawn of the Singapore Art Museum yesterday ahead of the Singapore Biennale, which opens on Oct 27.

Lim is seen here in discussion with biennale creative director Susie Lingham. Several installations are being set up before the start of this year's exhibition, entitled An Atlas Of Mirrors, which will run until Feb 26 next year. It will feature contemporary works of art by more than 60 artists from South-east, East and South Asia.