UOB Malaysia Painting of the Year 2024

UOB Malaysia Painting of the Year 2024

   The UOB Painting of the Year (POY) competition, established in 1982, is one of Southeast Asia's most prestigious annual art awards, celebrating the region's rich tapestry of artistic talent. In its 43rd edition in 2024, the competition continued its tradition of uncovering and nurturing artists from Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, and Vietnam.

   In 2024, the UOB Painting of the Year (POY) competition in Malaysia celebrated its 14th edition, continuing its tradition of recognizing outstanding artistic talent. The top honor was awarded to Penang-based artist Hasanul Isyraf Idris for his work titled "Durio." This intricate gouache painting depicts the life cycle of the durian tree, scientifically known as Durio, and highlights the essential role of stingless bees in its pollination process. Hasanul's inspiration stemmed from a four-year journey documenting the biodiversity surrounding his retreat studio in Perak, reflecting his deep connection to nature and its intricate processes.
















   As the national winner, Hasanul received a RM100,000 cash prize and represented Malaysia in the UOB Southeast Asian POY competition, competing against top artists from Indonesia, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam. In the Emerging Artist Category, Nurul Shahida Ibrahim was honored as the Most Promising Artist of the Year for her mixed-media piece titled "Baruh." Her artwork intricately weaves threads to depict the harsh realities of life beneath an idyllic rural landscape, a process that took about two months to complete. Nurul's dedication to her craft earned her a RM16,000 cash prize and recognition as a rising talent in the Malaysian art scene.
   The 2024 UOB POY competition showcased the depth and diversity of Malaysian artistry, reinforcing the nation's vibrant cultural landscape and the importance of nurturing creative expression.

   The following are the winners in the respective artist category :

        Hasanul Isyraf Idris
Hasanul Isyraf Idris is an artist trained at Mara University of Technology (UiTM), Perak, Malaysia. His diverse practice includes painting, drawing, installation, video and sculpture. Through his art, he expresses his personal struggles with his surrounding and experiences.

Hasanul has held solo exhibitions in Singapore, Jakarta, and New York, and his work has been featured in institutional exhibitions in Taiwan, Paris and the 13th Edition of Asia Contemporary Art Week in Dubai.

2024 UOB Painting of the Year UOB Painting of the Year Award, Established Artist Category

Hasanul Isyraf Idris Winning Work: Title: Durio
Medium: Guoache on paper
Size (cm): 174 x 173
Durio presents a captivating exploration and observation of nature, developed over four years of documenting biodiversity at the artist’s retreat studio in Perak, located between mountainous forests and a rural settlement.

The artwork features detailed drawings of the Durian (scientifically known as Durio) tree’s life cycle and highlights the important role of stingless bees in pollination. To explore plants and animals further, the artist uses a Scanning Electron Microscope to create a high-resolution scan of seeds, leaves, and butterfly eggs.

The artwork invites viewers to appreciate the slow passage of time in this remote setting, encouraging reflections on modern environmental issues, self-care, and self-awareness. The calm atmosphere evokes contemplation of life’s fleeting nature within the universe.

          Hug Yin Wan
Hug Yin Wan, graduated with a Diploma in Fine Art from Dasein Academy of Art, Malaysia in 2015. Raised in a Buddhist family, he believes in the concept of impermanence in life and reflects the belief in his artwork which captures fleeting moments and changes.

Yin Wan was awarded the first prize in Mix Media category at the Tanjong Heritage Awards in 2015, the Grand Prize in the Fine Art category of the Nando’s Art Initiative Competition in the same year. He was also awarded the 2016 UOB Painting of the Year (Malaysia), Bronze Award, Established Artist category. His works have also been exhibited in various local galleries.

2024 UOB Painting of the Year Gold Award, Established Artist Category

Hug Yin Wan Winning Title: Reflections of Water
Medium: Mixed media on plywood (Woodcut, mirror, acrylic and oil paint)
Size (cm): 61.5 x 171.5

Reflections of Water delves into the theme of impermanence, inspired by the iconic actor Bruce Lee’s philosophy about the adaptability of water. Using woodcut techniques on plywood, the artwork features repetitive lines that mimic flowing water. Hollow sections embedded with mirrors reflect both the viewer and their surroundings, creating an interactive experience.

This artwork symbolises life’s constant changes where everything flows, adapts, and transforms like water. It invites viewers to reflect on the impermanent nature of existence and discover their own insights within this concept.

           Muhamad Amsyar Bin Ramly
Muhamad Amsyar bin Ramly graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Fine Arts (Honours) from Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM) Shah Alam, Malaysia in 2015.

Based in Kuala Lumpur, he has actively contributed to the Malaysian art scene since 2017 and has developed a diverse body of work across various styles and media. He received the Malaysian Emerging Artist Award (MEAA) in 2022 and showcased his first solo exhibition, Pixels at Sareng Gallery, Kuala Lumpur.

2024 UOB Painting of the Year Silver Award, Established Artist Category

Muhamad Amsyar bin Ramly Winning Title: Langit dan Bumi (Heaven and Earth)
Medium: Mixed media on canvas (Soil and acrylic)
Size (cm): 175 x 136

Langit dan Bumi (Heaven and Earth) is a meditative artwork that explores spiritual remembrance using dot mark-making. The painting uses the pointillism technique to create ethereal spaces that change with the viewer’s perspective, evoking mystery and emotion. The dots are carefully spaced and sized to express fundamental human feelings and connect viewers to the concept of ‘zikr,’ an Islamic practice of remembering God through repetition.

This work expresses the divine beauty and harmony of creation, presenting a spiritual interpretation rather than a literal portrayal of nature.

         Mairul Nisa Binti Malek
Mairul Nisa Binti Malek is a visual artist from Sarawak, currently based in Shah Alam. She holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts and Master’s Degree in Fine Art and Technology from Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM) Shah Alam, Malaysia, where she is pursuing a PhD in Art and Philosophy.

Mairul explores personal narratives and socio-political themes in her work. She received the 2023 UOB Painting of the Year (Malaysia), Most Promising Artist of the Year, Emerging Artist category and has exhibited both locally and internationally.

2024 UOB Painting of the Year Bronze Award, Established Artist Category

Mairul Nisa Binti Malek Winning Title: Perepat (1996)
Medium: Mixed media on wooden box frame (Film, preserved tree root, collaged archival documents, needle, washed cyanotype, thread, and cement)
Size (cm): 147.5 x 145 (Diptych)

Perepat (1996) captures the resilience of the Perepat village community in Sarawak by contrasting the scars from labour-intensive work with the educational opportunities available to the younger generations.

The diptych format features the perepat tree as a symbol of perseverance, presented in a grid and puzzle to highlight the interconnectedness and individuality. The artwork uses layered film photos, containers framing delicate materials, and archival documents stitched with red thread, illustrating the economy’s lifeblood. The yellow cyanotype mimics firefly light, while cement represents the tension between tradition and modernity.

The artist invites viewers to honour the villagers’ sacrifices and appreciate the shared humanity in diverse communities.

               Zac Lee
Zac Lee holds a Diploma in Fine Arts from the Kuala Lumpur College of Art, Malaysia (1990) and a Diploma in Illustration from The One Academy of Design, Malaysia (1993). He received the Freeman Fellowship at the Vermont Studio Center, USA in 2006 and was selected for the Three Shadows Residency in Beijing, China in 2010.

Zac was awarded as a finalist for the Sovereign Asian Art Prize in Hong Kong in 2014 as well as the Best Theme Award at the Royal Society of Portrait Painter Annual Exhibition London in 2023. He has participated in various local and international exhibitions such as the Asia Week New York in 2015 and 2016.

2024 UOB Painting of the Year Highly Commended Award, Established Artist Category

Zac Lee Winning Title: Embrace
Medium: Oil on canvas
Size (cm): 91 x 158

Embrace depicts a solitary figure that symbolises the fleeting passage of time through its youthful and aged silhouette. The artwork illustrates life’s bittersweet essence, highlighting that the true significance of life lies in shared memories and connections that transcend time.

             Nurul Shahida Binti Ibrahim
Nurul Shahida Binti Ibrahim graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Art and Design from Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM) Shah Alam, Malaysia in 2012. She won the consolation prize in the Penang Art Open (2012), the consolation prize in Art Against AIDS (2023), and the Creative Artist Award in Mr DIY Art Competition (2024).

2024 UOB Painting of the Year, Most Promising Artist of the Year, Emerging Artist Category

Nurul Shahida Binti Ibrahim Winning Title: Baruh (Lowland)
Medium: Mixed media on jute canvas (Thread and acrylic)
Size (cm): 126 x 95

Baruh (Lowland) depicts the harsh realities of life and the resilience hidden beneath a tranquil rural landscape.

Growing up at the foot of Mount Jerai as a farmer’s child, the artist experienced the beauty of rice fields turning golden at harvest. However, this beauty masked significant struggles from crabs, snails, and burung tiak (tree sparrow) that ravaged the crops. The artist captures the raw, enduring realities of life through grid patterns and the interplay of positive and negative spaces in green.

    Ahmad Muhamad Bin Mohamed Kamal
Ahmad Muhamad Bin Mohamed Kamal earned his Bachelor of Arts in Fine Art (Honours) from Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM) Shah Alam, Malaysia in 2009. In the same year, he received the 2nd Prize in Mixed Media at the Tanjong Heritage Art Competition. He won the Special Jury Award at the Waste Art Competition in 2019 and has exhibited his works in local galleries.

2024 UOB Painting of the Year Gold Award, Emerging Artist Category

Ahmad Muhamad Bin Mohamed Kamal Winning Title: Reality in Harmony
Medium: Mixed media on mild steel (Industrial paint and fabric)
Size (cm): 86 x 118

Reality in Harmony is inspired by the tanggam, a traditional method of joining wood to form a building’s main structure. Tanggam features interlocking components that symbolise durability and unity.

The artwork uses tanggam as a visual metaphor, emphasising the family unit as a crucial societal structure that is losing its significance. The combination of batik and line strokes represents the conflicts and challenges faced in fostering positive societal values.

                 Lee Yaw Chu
Lee Yaw Chu’s passion for art was sparked by his father’s carpentry skills. He studied art and calligraphy in secondary school, discovering that art stems from keen observations. Yaw Chu experimented with everyday materials and developed new mediums for his work. His living experience in both the countryside and city led him to explore human relationships and societal themes. He has also used art as a therapeutic tool to support orphans at non-profit events.

2024 UOB Painting of the Year Silver Award, Emerging Artist Category

Lee Yaw Chu Winning Title: A Letter from 1989
Medium: Mixed media in wooden frame (Acrylic, paper, printing, plaster and rusting effect)
Size (cm): 85 x 73

A Letter from 1989 reflects on the fading tradition of letter writing, inspired by a letter exchanged in 1989 between the artist’s grandmother in Malaysia and her brother in China. After their separation in 1958, letters became their only means of communication, sustaining their bond over decades.

While modern technology enables instant communication, it often lacks the emotional depth of handwritten letters. The artwork illustrates how letter writing creates meaningful connections and transforms into valuable artifacts, demonstrating the lasting impact of personal, written communication.

                  Aer Loo
Aer Loo is a Kuala Lumpur-based artist. Her work explores themes of identity, perception, and the human spirit through painting, embroidery, and poetry.

Her artistic journey includes a residency at Bon Ton Resort in Langkawi and exhibitions at Artsinsquare Ontario online exhibit in Canada (2022), The Back Room (2023) and Cult Gallery (2024).

2024 UOB Painting of the Year Bronze Award, Emerging Artist Category

Aer Loo Winning Title: Sacred Steps
Medium: Mixed media collage on Chinese calligraphy grid paper (Embossed wrapper, inkjet print and acid free spray adhesive)
Size (cm): 167 x 52.4

Sacred Steps conveys a multifaceted message about societal hierarchies, labour and human resilience. The boy in the artwork symbolises millions of undervalued child labourers. His act of assembling shoes serves as a metaphor for the foundational task that supports society and enables others to ascend the social ladder.

Through print transfer and square cuttings on Chinese calligraphy paper, the artist transforms the boy’s silent struggles into a compelling visual narrative highlighting the resilience and humility of those in difficult situations and the invisible support they provide to society.

                           Emily Tan
Emily Tan is pursuing a Diploma in Fine Arts at the Malaysian Institute of Art, Malaysia. She specialises in oil and acrylic painting while also experimenting with different media such as textiles and papers and various art forms such as graffiti, sculpture, and mural painting.

Emily won the Judges’ Pick Award at the 2024 Mr DIY Art Competition and Best Graffiti Artwork at the 2023 #BreakFree KL Youth Street Arts Festival. She was also recognised as one of the Top 10 Bakat Mahasiswa 2023 Art Exhibition organised by the Malaysian Institute of Art.

2024 UOB Painting of the Year Highly Commended Award, Emerging Artist Category

Emily Tan Winning Title: 百家被 (Baijia Quilt)
Medium: Oil on canvas
Size (cm): 122 x 92

百家被 (Baijia Quilt) is a traditional Chinese quilt symbolising blessings for a 100-day-old child. It is made from fabrics given by relatives and friends and is believed to bring luck and protection. The artwork honours this tradition and the bond between the artist and her grandmother, celebrating the love and care embodied in the quilt’s delicate craftsmanship.

 

That's the line up of the 2024 competitions, and congratulations to the winner once more. The 2024 UOB Painting of the Year (Malaysia) once again spotlighted the extraordinary talents that thrive within the country’s art community. From Hasanul Isyraf Idris’s intricate “Durio,” which harmoniously merged art with ecological awareness, to Nurul Shahida Ibrahim’s thought-provoking “Baruh” that subtly unveiled hidden societal truths, this year’s competition proved that Malaysian artists are not only technically masterful but deeply connected to the narratives around them.

As these creative voices continue to resonate across Southeast Asia, the anticipation for the 2025 UOB Painting of the Year is already building. With the evolving landscape of contemporary art, themes surrounding sustainability, cultural identity, and digital transformation are expected to take center stage. Young and seasoned artists alike are encouraged to push boundaries, explore new mediums, and tell stories that challenge, uplift, and unite.

Art lovers, collectors, and creators—2025 promises to be a year of even greater imagination and impact. Stay inspired, and let the canvas continue to speak.

John CC Lim

lumagida.com/ wall art and painting




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