About Thailand Eye presented by Prudential
Thailand Eye presented by Prudential is a comprehensive survey of Thailand’s contemporary art scene through the works of some of the country’s most innovative artists. Curated by Nigel Hurst, Serenella Ciclitira and Dr Apinan Poshyananda, the exhibiting artists were chosen from over 150 submissions and represent a selection of the best contemporary art in Thailand.
Thailand Eye presented by Prudential celebrates the occasion of Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn’s 60th anniversary and fifth cycle, which fell on 2 April 2015 and marks the 160th anniversary of Thailand-UK relations. It is a collaboration between Parallel Contemporary Art, Prudential, Saatchi Gallery, Thailand Ministry of Culture, Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau and Bangkok Art and Culture Centre.
About Prudential Eye Awards
Launched in 2014, the prestigious Prudential Eye Awards for Contemporary Asian Art recognises the best emerging Asian contemporary artists as well as the leading exhibitions, galleries, institutions and art critics working to promote contemporary art in the region. As a key event of Singapore Art Week, the Prudential Eye Awards has been integral in raising Singapore's profile as a leading international destination for contemporary art. The positive outcomes from the inaugural Awards have reinforced the importance of Prudential’s support for new art from the region. The Prudential Eye Awards returns in 2016, featuring 15 artists who an eminent panel of Judges believe have the potential to go on and develop significant careers on the international art world stage.
About the Prudential Eye Programme
Established in 2008 by David and Serenella Ciclitira and sponsored by life-insurer Prudential, the Prudential Eye Programme is an initiative that nurtures artistic talent. The programme aims to develop arts infrastructure in territories where this is lacking, in order to provide artists with the platforms, support and recognition they need to develop their careers. It works to build networks and opportunities for artists and galleries through strategic partnerships and a variety of platforms.
Previous projects from the Prudential Eye Programme include Korean Eye (2009 to 2012), Indonesian Eye (2011), Hong Kong Eye (2013), Malaysian Eye (2014), Singapore Eye (2015) and Thailand Eye presented by Prudential (2015 & 2016): a series of international touring exhibitions and publications providing emerging Asian artists with opportunities to showcase their work. To date, the programme has held eighteen exhibitions worldwide, which have been viewed by over two million people.
In January 2014, the Prudential Eye Programme launched the Prudential Eye Awards in Singapore, honouring the accomplishments of emerging artists throughout greater Asia and launching a creative education programme with the British Council.
David and Serenella Ciclitira have been collectors and patrons of contemporary art for over two decades. In 1990 they founded a series of awards at the Royal College of Art: the Parallel Award for painting and the Serenella Ciclitira Scholarship for sculpture; to this day, these significant contributions continue to provide valuable financial support and stipends for graduating fine artists.
About Parallel Contemporary Art
Parallel Contemporary Art is a not-for-profit organisation dedicated to supporting emerging artists across the world. It was founded by David and Serenella Ciclitira who have been collectors and patrons of contemporary art for over two decades. 23 years ago, as part of their commitment to supporting emerging artists, they founded two annual awards at the Royal College of Art, London; the Parallel Prize for painting and the Serenella Ciclitira Scholarship for sculpture, both of which continue to provide valuable support and stipends for graduating fine artists. Through their love of travel and discovering new artistic talent, they realised young artists in many parts of Asia were under supported and going unnoticed. To help develop the careers of these emerging Asian artists, they launched the Prudential Eye Programme, an initiative that nurtures worldwide artistic talent.
About the Saatchi Gallery
The Saatchi Gallery was founded in 1985 with the aim of making contemporary art accessible to the widest possible audience by providing an innovative platform for emerging artists to show their work. Over the last four years the Saatchi Gallery has hosted ten out of the top 15 most visited exhibitions in London according to The Art Newspaper’s survey of international museum attendance. It is also ranked amongst the world’s top three most liked museums on Facebook and Twitter by Museum Analytics. The Saatchi Gallery website has become a global meeting place for people interested in contemporary art.