SINGAPORE.- Emerging artists can now showcase their artworks in ARTSingapore 2009’s “New Finds” section. Set to become a prestigious addition to the renowned Asian contemporary arts fair, “New Finds” will grant emerging talents an opportunity to be awarded an accolade for the “Most Outstanding Emerging Artist” and “Most Promising Emerging Gallery” to help kick start one’s career for them within the arts industry.

“We are keeping in mind the current economic recession in Singapore and hope that “New Finds” will provide emerging artists with a platform to develop and establish their career in the arts industry,” says Chen Shen Po, Fair Director for ARTSingapore 2009.

Currently in its 9th year running, the premium arts event will be held over five days from 8 – 12 October 2009 at Suntec Singapore, International Convention and Exhibition Centre. The contemporary art fair expects 15,000 visitors this year and will house millions worth of artworks ranging from paintings, drawings, sculptures, installations, photographs and digital art by international and regional artists and galleries. Building on its reputation in offering quality South East Asian pieces amongst stakeholders and artists, ARTSingapore 2009 will also include new features like the abovementioned “New Finds” and the Asia International Photography Fair.

“We included the photography fair for local and regional photographers to showcase their works on an international footing,” adds Shen Po. In acknowledging and keeping up with the rising popularity and demand of creative photo works, ARTSingapore looks to remain a leader in the global arts scene as the Asia International Photgraphy Fair marks the first regional fair for contemporary photo-based artworks to meet the emerging demand for imagery and photographical art forms in Asia Pacific.

Other noteworthy participants include local galleries like Fill-Your-Walls, a space that provides support to local emerging artists, and Momentous Arts. Fill-your-walls complements the vision of the “New Finds” section as it has showcased over 250 works of art by 60 local artists since 1st December 2008.

Momentous Arts also showcases an eclectic selection of paintings, works on paper, original prints, ceramics and sculptures. Personifying youth and vitality, the gallery has featured a variety of vibrant and energetic art collection of local and international artists since its inception in 2002. It has also held many exhibitions in Singapore such as “Home – Inaugural NUS Alumni Art Show 2009”, “Singapore – Malaysia Chinese Painting & Calligraphy Art Exchange Exhibition 2008” and the “Asia Invitation Art Exhibition” for 2006 and 2008.

“ARTSingapore has been enjoying a successful turnout over the past nine years. Artists such as Richard Winkler from Indonesia, Ronald Venture from the Philippines, Li Chen from Taiwan, Ayako Rakkaku from Japan and Kim Dong Yoo from Korea have since established a foothold in the Southeast Asia arts industry and enjoyed significant progress in their careers after participating in the previous ARTSingapore fairs,” Shen Po says. Supporting partners and sponsors of ARTSingapore 2009 include United Overseas Bank, Singapore Tourism Board, , Marina Mandarin Hotel, Blackliner Chauffeur Drive and Zuji.

Visitors and participants in the ARTSingapore 2009 can also indulge in art talks, fringe art events and museum visits while viewing unique and beautiful artworks. Complementing the art appreciation experience with fringe activities, VIPS get to enjoy free access to the Asian Civilisation Museum, National Museum of Singapore, Singapore Art Museum, Peranakan Museum and NUS Museum from 1st to 20th October 2009.