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UOB Painting of the Year: From Singapore, spreading across the region.
The competition has successively taken place in Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, and in 2023, Vietnam officially became the fifth country to participate in this artistic journey. In each country, the competition is not only a place to discover new talents, but also a bridge for local artists to connect with the international community, exchange creative perspectives, and together create a more multifaceted art space.
The six winning works and five shortlisted works from the 2024 “UOB Painting of the Year” competition will be exhibited from May 7-19 at the Vietnam Fine Arts Museum.
The artwork "Flow" by artist Nguyen Viet Cuong, using two materials – Quang Ninh coal and Mekong Delta rice flour – won the UOB Painting of the Year 2024 award and is on display at the exhibition.
Exhibition space at the Museum of Fine Arts
With over 40 years of history, the UOB Painting of the Year is the oldest art competition in Singapore and is considered by experts to be one of the most prestigious awards in the region. Since 1982, the competition has helped discover more than 1,000 talented artists, a number that speaks volumes about its widespread influence in nurturing creative journeys that are still in their formative stages.
A car hood is no longer just a mechanical material; it becomes a flat surface for artists to breathe emotion into with powerful spray paint. A tie – a symbol of neatness in the workplace – becomes a vehicle for artists to express their personal feelings through meticulous oil paint strokes. Holes, oil wax streaks, or rough patches of color are not simply techniques, but ways for artists to redefine their worldview. This is not just a groundbreaking approach to expression, but also clear evidence of the boundless spirit of freedom and creativity in the UOB Painting of the Year competition – one of the most prestigious and long-standing art competitions in Southeast Asia.
The artwork "Diary 2024" by artist Nguyen Duc Nhiem
The numbers follow their own rules.
"The artwork is inspired by diary entries, the hidden emotions in a notebook. The blue layer covering the envelope symbolizes the dilemmas or secrets being blurred or covered up. On the envelope, the words 'From: 25th Anniversary To: 24th Anniversary' are like a message to my past self, evoking nostalgia for past moments. The letters and numbers are created according to a specific rule, a declaration by the artist that he wants his thoughts written down, but not necessarily needs them to be understood," shared the artist, Nguyen Duc Niem.
A playground for Vietnamese talent
Vietnam only officially joined in 2023, but in just two years, the competition has made a profound impact on the domestic art community. The increasing number of entries is not only proof of the award's appeal, but also reflects the desire of thousands of young artists across Vietnam to contribute and be recognized.
In 2024, the second edition of the competition in Vietnam honored six outstanding artists in two categories: “Established Artist” and “Rising Artist”. The top prize – UOB Painting of the Year Vietnam 2020 – was awarded to artist Nguyen Viet Cuong for his work “Flow,” a piece with profound historical and cultural depth and a powerful visual style. At the same time, the “Rising Artist” award went to artist Phan Tu Tran for her work “Doraeco,” which attracted attention for its unique blend of contemporary themes and innovative style.
The artwork "Doraeco" by artist Phan Tú Trân
The annual UOB Painting of the Year competition is UOB Bank's flagship art program. Established in 1982 in Singapore with the initial goal of discovering and celebrating local artistic talent, the competition has expanded and spread over the past four decades, becoming a regional art platform that contributes to shaping the contemporary art landscape of Southeast Asia.
But behind each award is not just the title, but also the recognition – a tremendous motivation for young artists to confidently pursue their creative path, which is often challenging and solitary. As one young artist participating in the competition shared: “This is an important stepping stone for me to better understand art in the ASEAN region, and also a valuable opportunity to listen, learn, and affirm myself.”
To spread the value of the competition, UOB Vietnam Bank organized an exhibition of the winning artworks from 2024 at the Vietnam Fine Arts Museum (Hanoi) - a prestigious and dignified venue, lasting until May 19th. This is part of the UOB Painting of the Year 2025 launch activities, marking the third year the competition has been held in Vietnam.
The combination of modern visual language with traditional cultural elements.
The exhibition showcases six winning works in two categories along with five shortlisted pieces, creating a comprehensive picture of creativity and intellectual depth. Viewers are not only overwhelmed by the diversity of materials – from canvas, oil paint, crayons, recycled objects to perforation and relief printing techniques – but are also captivated by the layers of meaning hidden within each artwork.
A particular highlight of the exhibition is the combination of modern visual language with traditional cultural elements. From stories of urbanization and individual identity to memories of rural life, collective memory, and environmental issues, the works transcend mere performance and become vibrant dialogues between the artist and the community. Many viewers lingered for a long time before each piece, as if trying to decipher the message hidden in each color, line, and even the silences between the forms.
The artwork "Arranging Airplanes" by artist Nguyen Van He
The artwork "Invasion" by artist Ngo Van Sac
Where art meets the future
What makes UOB Painting of the Year special is not just the prize money or the scale of the event, but the fact that the competition serves as a multifaceted platform for connection – between artists, between art and the public, between tradition and contemporary art, between individuals and the community. It not only discovers talent but also fosters free artistic thinking, encourages experimentation, and breaks free from old conventions. More importantly, it's an opportunity for Southeast Asian artists to reflect on and examine their national identities within the broader regional context.
The winner in Vietnam will receive a prize of 500 million VND and the opportunity to compete for the prestigious UOB Painting of the Year Southeast Asia award with a cash prize of S$13,000 (approximately 260 million VND). In addition, they will have the chance to be selected to participate in a special art program.
Where art meets the future
For Vietnam, participating in this competition is not only a significant milestone in the process of international artistic integration, but also an opportunity to affirm the unique voice of Vietnamese fine arts – a voice that is becoming increasingly strong, distinctive, and full of inner strength.
For thousands of young artists, the competition is not just a destination, but a valuable journey in their self-discovery. And for art-loving audiences, it's a precious opportunity to connect with, engage in dialogue with, and resonate with creative reflections deeply rooted in Southeast Asian culture – where art is not just beauty, but also a message, an identity, and a bridge between people and the world around them.
