The Prudential Eye Awards which recognizes the best emerging Asian contemporary artists as well as the leading exhibitions, galleries, institutions and art critics working to promote Asian contemporary art made a glorious comeback for the third time on 19 January 2016 at the Sands Theatre, Marina Bay Sands.
Following the breakthrough success of 2015's overall winner, Japanese collective Chim↑Pom, the 2016 edition featured a total of 15 shortlisted artists divided into five categories, based on mediums including Digital/video, installation, painting, photography and sculpture.
The winners of each of these categories received USD 20,000 and a specially commissioned trophy. Out of these winners, judges also chose an overall Best Emerging Artist winner, who was awarded the prize money of USD $30,000 as well as a solo exhibition at START, Saatchi Gallery in London.
This year’s award ceremony also featured four special awards: Best Asian Contemporary Art Institution, Best Exhibition of Asian Contemporary Art, the Lifetime Achievement Award for Asian Contemporary Art and the Award for Visual and Popular Culture. For the first time, the first two of these awards were decided by public voting.
Ex-Cambodian refugee, Sareth Svay, ex-Cambodian refugee triumphed at this year’s award ceremony by winning both the Overall Best Emerging Artist for Contemporary Asian Art and the Best Emerging Artist Using Sculpture. His art practice developed from his time in the refugee camp and his work draws on the social and political history of Cambodia through sculpture, performance and installation. Conveyed subtly through his award-winning pieces, Sareth Svay cleverly addresses his country’s history through poetic and personal reflections.
The 2016 Prudential Eye Awards Winners are:
Best Emerging Artist Award for Sculpture and Overall Best Emerging Artist
(Sareth Svay)
Best Emerging Artist Award for Digital/Video
(Nguyen Trinh Thi)
Best Emerging Artist Award for Installation
(Huang Po Chih)
Best Emerging Artist Award for Painting
(Manish Nai)
Best Emerging Artist Award for Photography
(Shumon Ahmed)
For more information about the Prudential Eye Awards and the winners’ list, kindly refer to Prudential Eye Awards 2016.