Award
Apichatpong Weerasethakul Phantoms of Nabua 2009
© Apichatpong Weerasethakul Courtesy SCAI THE BATHHOUSE
The first Asia Art Award has announced Thai artist Apichatpong Weerasethakul as its winner. The award was established to provide a support system for Asian artists under the age of 40 and to redefine the status of Asian contemporary art in the international arena. Weerasethakul was selected from among six finalists, who had been shortlisted from 42 nominees recommended by a committee of art experts from around the region. Works by the six finalists – among them Chim↑Pom from Japan – are on exhibition through June 6th at the Soma Museum of Art in Seoul.
Born in Bangkok in 1970, Weerasethakul is internationally recognized as a film director and also enjoys critical acclaim from the art world for his primarily film- and video-based works. Phantoms of Nabua, the work that won him the Asia Art Award, is currently showing as part of his solo exhibition at SCAI THE BATHHOUSE (through 17 April) in Tokyo.
Asia Art Award
http://www.asiaartawardforum.com/english/html/award/award_01.html
SCAI THE BATHHOUSE
http://www.scaithebathhouse.com/