Xu also brings to the exhibition an oil landscape depicting a lush view of the upper stream of the Fuchun River flowing through Zhejiang province. He says that the work continues his exploration of the mountain-and-water style of classic Chinese painting, although not created with traditional ink and water.

Some of the works on display are from the collection of the Singapore Art Museum, which opened in 1996 as the first art museum in Singapore and presents contemporary art from a Southeast Asian perspective.

Two sculptures are made by Han Sai Por, born in 1943, who pioneered modern sculpture in Singapore.

Han says that rapid urban development makes people feel proud, while in this process, some things have gradually disappeared in people's lives.

Her works exhibit how swift city transformations can be achieved while maintaining harmony between nature and the ecosystem.

She says, as an artist, she seeks the motivation to create, and hopes to facilitate connections built between cultures through the language of art.

Urbanization is also examined in Background Story: Admonition to a Farmer, a video installation by Chinese artist Xu Bing.

Admonition to a Farmer is a classic landscape painting by Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) artist Tang Yin, now in the Suzhou Museum collection.

Xu Bing's work renders a digital transformation of Tang's painting, in which the mountains, trees and waters transform into the high-rise buildings and parks of a modern urban landscape.

Eugene Tan, chief executive officer and director of the Singapore Art Museum, said at a roundtable forum before the exhibition opening on Aug 18 that the museum is pleased to share its diverse collection of contemporary art.

He said that it reflects how the collection has linked art and artists, the public and future generations through exhibitions and events, to fulfill the museum's commitment to boosting exchanges in the region and contributing diverse perspectives on the global narratives of contemporary art.