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Singapore's annual art fair?opens on Jan 16 and runs to Jan 19 at the country's Marina Bay Sands Convention Center.[Photo by Chen Nan/China Daily]

Singapore's annual art fair – Art Stage Singapore – opens on Jan 16 and runs to Jan 19 at the country's Marina Bay Sands Convention Center.

The fair attracts 158 galleries and brings participants from around the world.

This year's flagship Asian art event introduces a new format with a museum-like exhibition platform layout featuring work from eight countries and regions.

The eight platforms showcase works from China, southeast and central Asia, Australia, India, South Korea and Japan. All platforms are curated by leading experts invited by Art Stage Singapore, and each platform is represented by artists and galleries selected from their country or region.

Art Stage Singapore also showcases large-scale installations at various locations presented by artists. Themed talks will be held during the art fair.

"Since our inception in 2011, Art Stage Singapore has always endeavored to bring the international art world to Singapore and worked, in partnership with local institutions, toward developing Singapore as a world-class, international art destination," said Art Stage Singapore's founder and director Lorenzo Rudolf.

"Today, it is to our great delight that Art Stage Singapore has become a catalyst for a multitude of art events and activities. It is definitely rewarding to see the local art scene benefiting from the many international visitors that we bring in."