SINGAPORE — A circular ping pong table at the South-east Asia Games Carnival for children at Sports Hub bears a striking resemblance to a famous artwork by a Singaporean artist, prompting criticism online.

Cultural Medallion recipient Lee Wen has said he was unaware of it. His interactive artwork, titled Ping Pong Go-Round has the same circular features, which allow for multiple players. Variations of it have been shown in different exhibitions and fairs such as his solo retrospective in 2012 and last year’s Art Basel Hong Kong. Most recently, it was part of an exhibition of Singapore artists at the ArtScience Museum.

The artist was alerted to the work today (June 5), the same day as the opening ceremony of the SEA Games 2015, via a photo posted on Facebook by film-maker Tan Pin Pin. “She thought it was mine. Somebody also saw it yesterday,” said Lee. “I’m trying to find out who’s in charge and talk to them to ask them to stop exhibiting until they settle with me. It’s good that they picked up the idea but it’s as if they didn’t think it has been done before. I think they should at least talk to me. I’m thinking of asking for some compensation in terms of artists rights because according to one lawyer I’ve talked to, it’s probably an infringement of copyright.”

In response to queries from TODAY, the SEA Games Organising Committee, which is handling the children’s carnival, revealed the activity was proposed by one of its vendors.

SINGSOC said it would be meeting the artist tomorrow. They have also agreed to crediting his work as an inspiration.

“We regret that this incident took place. This was an activity proposed by our vendor, and were unaware of the similarity. We did not intend to infringe on any rights," said an earlier statement. "We will work an arrangement with the artist as soon as possible."

The ping pong table in question, called 300° Table Tennis, carries the logo of Atos, a French technology firm appointed by the organising committee to manage the information technology for the Singapore games.

While it forms a “C” and Lee’s work is a complete circle, the latter said his artwork could easily be manipulated and rejigged so that users could enter the central space.