Press Release 2013
UOB Painting of the Year Competition invites Malaysian artists to inspire the imagination
Kuala Lumpur, 19 September 2013 - United Overseas Bank (Malaysia) Bhd (UOB Malaysia) is inviting artists from Malaysia to share their vision and passion in the 2013 UOB Painting of the Year competition.
This is the third year that UOB Malaysia is joining its counterparts in Singapore, Indonesia, and Thailand in welcoming artists to share their vision and passion in the regional art competition. In Singapore, the competition has encouraged artists over the past 31 years to create works that have inspired the imagination and pushed the boundaries of creativity.
This year, the award categories of the UOB Painting of the Year competition have been revised into two distinct segments - Emerging Artist and Established Artist - to reflect the natural progression of an artist's career. The regional prize pool has been doubled to more than US$200,000, making it one of the largest purses among art competitions in Southeast Asia.
A new UOB Southeast Asian Painting of the Year award is also being introduced to commend the most outstanding painting of the competition and to elevate the profile of Southeast Asian art. The winner of this top prize will receive a total of US$35,000. The UOB Painting of the Year winners from each country will also have the chance to enter a prestigious residency programme at the Fukuoka Asian Art Museum in Japan.
Mr Wong Kim Choong, Chief Executive Officer of UOB Malaysia said, "Artists are the social conscience of a country and they play an important role in community building. Through the annual UOB Painting of the Year competition, we provide emerging and established local artists with opportunities to showcase their work to a wide audience, so that their art can inspire the imagination and enrich minds."
Be part of an illustrious alumni
Last year, the UOB Painting of the Year competition in Malaysia identified emerging talents such as Encik Mohd Azri bin Abdullah who won the judges' heart with his interpretation of the shadowy world of the illegal money lender in his charcoal and bitumen painting, Ah Long. After his win, Encik Mohd Azri has been approached by several art galleries, and looks forward to realising his dream of painting full time.
Indonesian artist Mr Y. Indra Wahyu took home the regional prize last year for his piece depicting a school choir, School Hymns, which honoured the role of schools in imparting knowledge and creating a harmonious society.
Many of the emerging artists who have won the competition in the past, such as two-time UOB Painting of the Year award recipients in Singapore, Mr Gong Yao Min and Ms Kit Tan Juat Lee, have gone on to pursue successful careers in painting. The UOB Painting of the Year alumni also includes many artists who are now considered national treasures in Singapore. These include Cultural Medallion winners Mr Goh Beng Kwan, and the late Messrs Anthony Poon and Chua Ek Kay.
View the winning works from the past 31 years and find out how you can enter the competition at www.uobpoy.com.
Invitation to inspire: How to enter the UOB Painting of the Year competition 2013
The UOB Painting of the Year competition is open to citizens and residents of Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia and Thailand. Artists are invited to submit original paintings that have been created within the last two years. There are no entry fees.
Artists in Malaysia who wish to take part in the competition must submit their artwork and entry form between 8 and 11 November 2013, 10am to 4pm daily, at Penthouse, Level 17, Menara UOB, Jalan Raja Laut, Kuala Lumpur.
Further details on the conditions of entry and entry forms can be found at www.uobpoy.com. The entry forms are also available at all UOB branches in Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia and Thailand.
Announcement of Winners
Shortlisted artists in Malaysia will be notified by phone by 15 November 2013. Winners will be announced at an awards ceremony in Kuala Lumpur on 19 November 2013. The UOB Painting of the Year from Malaysia will be exhibited at the 73-12 Gallery in Singapore from 26 November to 7 December 2013.