News Release - 09 October 2024

Artwork on Lifecycle of Durian Tree “Durio” named 2024 UOB Painting of the Year (Malaysia)

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, 9 October 2024 – UOB Malaysia yesterday presented the 2024 UOB Painting of the Year (UOB POY) award to Penang-based artist Mr Hasanul Isyraf Idris’ for his artwork titled "Durio".

"Durio" presents a captivating glimpse into the interplay between nature and the artist’s observations when he spent four years documenting the biodiversity surrounding his retreat studio in Perak. The artwork features a series of intricate drawings that expresses the life cycle of the durian tree, scientifically known as Durio, from flowering to fruit maturation. The detailed depictions also illustrate the vital role of stingless bees in pollination, and how pollen is a source of nutrient for bees.

Ms Ng Wei Wei, Chief Executive Officer of UOB Malaysia, said, "Powerful messages conveyed through the medium of art play a vital role in nation-building as it shapes identity, fosters unity, and inspires progress. This year’s winning piece 'Durio' beautifully illustrates that despite our differences, we are united in our connection to nature and we must preserve this delicate balance for future generations. We hope that our UOB Painting of the Year competition, now in its 14^th year, will continue to be a powerful platform for established and emerging Malaysian artists to express important issues and common themes that evoke deep reflection and dialogue in society."

As winner of the 2024 UOB POY (Malaysia) competition, Mr Hasanul will receive a cash prize of RM 100,000 and his painting will represent Malaysia to compete with other winning entries from Indonesia, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam for the 2024 UOB Southeast Asian POY award. The award ceremony will be held on 13 November 2024 in Singapore, and the winner will bring home a S$13,000 cash prize and stands a chance to attend a UOB sponsored overseas art residency programme.

Mr Hasanul had previously won the Gold Award in 2023 UOB POY (Malaysia) award under the Established Artist Category. He now joins the ranks of illustrious UOB POY (Malaysia) winners, including Mr Chong Kim Chiew, Mr Saiful Razman and Mr Sabri Idrus, who have continued to gain international exposure and recognition after winning the competition.

Ms Bibi Chew, Chief Judge of the 2024 UOB POY (Malaysia) competition, said, "Over the years, I have had the pleasure of witnessing the remarkable growth and evolution in the submissions we receive, and the talent displayed continues to raise the bar every single year. As an artist, I am deeply grateful to UOB Malaysia for its continuous commitment to championing the local art scene and raising the standards of art through the UOB POY competition."

Ms Nurul Shahida Binti Ibrahim clinches 2024 UOB Most Promising Artist of the Year (Malaysia) award, Emerging Artist Category

In the Emerging Artist Category, Ms Nurul Shahida Binti Ibrahim took home the Most Promising Artist of the Year award for her mixed media artwork titled “Baruh”. The artwork depicts the harsh reality of life and resilience hidden beneath an idyllic rural landscape. Growing up at the foot of Mount Jerai as the child of a farmer, the artist was surrounded by the beauty of rice fields. In her personal artwork, she shares the devastation caused by crabs and snails attacking young rice shoots, and the destruction wrought by burung tiak (tree sparrow bird) which ravaged the mature crops like a relentless storm. The artwork encapsulates a raw and enduring reality of life through the repetitive grid patterns and the interplay of positive and negative spaces in green.

The winning artworks from the Established and Emerging Artist Category of the 2024 UOB POY (Malaysia) competition will be displayed at The Linc, Kuala Lumpur from 29 October until 4 November 2024. The exhibition is open to the public from 10.00 am to 10.00 pm, Monday to Sunday.

The UOB Painting of the Year competition started in Singapore in 1982 and was expanded to Malaysia in 2011. Today, the annual art competition is the longest running in Singapore and one of the most prestigious in Southeast Asia, offering the highest cash prize in the country.