ART FAIR CREATES BIG BUZZ - ART STAGE 2013 STRAITS TIMES 2013-01-24 01:30:17 DEEPIKA SHETTY ARTS CORRESPONDENT

THE works of Indonesian artist I Nyoman Masriadi and Japanese artist Hiroshi Senju were among the top-selling ones at the opening night yesterday of Art Stage, Singapore's most high-profile art fair.

Masriadi's 2012 acrylic on canvas painting Peaceman sold for US$350,000 (S$430,000), and Senju's work, using natural pigments on Japanese mulberry paper, was bought by a local collector for US$450,000.

In a crowded space at the Convention and Exhibition Centre featuring more than 130 galleries, predominantly from Asia, homegrown artists too made their mark. By press time, the Singapore Tyler Print Institute had sold two print works by Singaporean Genevieve Chua for $2,800 each, while Art Seasons Gallery sold home-grown collective Phunk's 32 Stories, a reworking of 32 book covers, for $12,000.

The by-invitation-only evening event, which drew more than 7,000 guests from around the world, buzzed. There were prominent collectors such as France's Sylvain and Dominique Levy and India's Lekha Poddar. The third edition of the fair, which opens to the public today, got the thumbs up from many art lovers and art watchers.

Mr Wang Zineng, 30, a specialist for the South-east Asian region for international auction house Christie's, said he was impressed by several works.

He said: "With the addition of the Indonesian Pavilion, it is refreshing to see larger works addressing bolder themes." He also pointed to the performance art elements at the fair.

At the Singapore Platform, artist-musician Rizman Putra's performances every Art fair creates big buzz Art Stage Singapore 2013 25/1/13 6:15 PM http://misc.meltwaternews.com/sph_view.php?view=28472 Page 2 of 2 30 minutes drew appreciative crowds. The fair is supported by the Economic Development Board, , National Heritage Board and the National Arts Council.

French collector Guillaume Levy-Lambert, 50, felt it was more energetic and vibrant than last year's event. "The design and layout is so much better too. Unlike last year, it does not feel like the Forbidden City. As soon as you enter, you can see the art."