UOB Malaysia Painting of the year 2024

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.

We have the honor to witness the actual arts it self at gallery. 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.

Durio presents a captivating glimpse into the interplay between nature and the artist’s observation, who spent four years documenting the biodiversity surrounding his retreat studio in Perak. Located at the edge of a rural settlement and nestled between mountainous forests, the studio offers a surreal backdrop where the artist delved into the local ecosystem with the curiousity of an alien observer.

The central focus of the artwork is a series of intricate drawings and paintings, capturing the life cycle of the Durian (scientifically known as Durio) tree, from flowering to the fruit maturation. These detailed depictions also explore the vital role of stingless bees in pollination, and how the bees rely on pollen as a nutrient source.
To deepen his exploration and profound interest in flora and fauna, the artist incorporates technology by using a Scanning Electron Microscope to create high-resolution scans of seeds, leaves and butterfly eggs.

The artwork invites viewers to experience the slow passage of time in this remote environment, encouraging reflection on themes of Anthropocene, self-care and self-awareness. The serene environment evoke a sense of stillness, inviting contemplation on the fleeting nature of existence in the grand design of the universe.  

Hasanul Isyraf Idris was trained at Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM) Perak, and is currently based in Penang. His practice spans a variety of media, including painting, drawing, installation, video and sculpture. Through his art, he personifies his personal struggles with spaces, experience and phenomena happening around him. He has held solo exhibitions at Richard Koh Fine Art in Singapore, Art Jakarta, and VOLTA New York.

His work has also been featured in selected institutional exhibitions at Taitung Art Museum in Taiwan, Halle Saint Pierre in Paris, and 13th Edition of Asia Contemporary Art Week in Dubai.

Reflections of Water delves into the theme of impermanence, inspired by Bruce Lee’s quote about the
adaptability and fluidity of water. The artwork uses woodcut techniques to carve repetitive lines
on plywood, simulating the flowing forms of water. Hollow sections, embedded with mirrors, reflect
both the viewer and their surroundings, creating an interactive experience. The piece symbolises
the constant flux of life, where everything like water flows, adapts, and transforms. This work
invites viewers to reflect on the impermanent nature of existence and discover their own insights
within this “water.“

Growing up in a Buddhist family, Hug Yin Wan believes in the concept of impermanence in life, which
is reflective in his artwork. He graduated with a Diploma in Fine Art from Dasein Academy of Art in
2015. His works have been showcased in several local galleries, including G13 Gallery, Segaris Art
Centre, Taksu Gallery and HOM Art Trans. He won the first prize in Mix Media, Tanjong Heritage
Awards in 2015, Grand Prize in Nando’s Art Initiative Competition (Fine Art category) in 2015 and
Bronze Award under the Established Artist Category for the 2016
UOB Painting of the Year (Malaysia).

Langit dan Bumi (Heaven and Earth) is a meditative exploration of spiritual remembrance through the meticulous application of dot mark-making. Utilising the pointillism technique, the painting creates ethereal spaces that shift with the viewer’s perspective, evoking a profound sense of mystery and emotion. The controlled spacing and sizing of the dots aim to express fundamental human feelings and connect viewers to the concept of ‘zikr,’ an Islamic practice of remembering God through repetition. This work seeks to convey the divine beauty and harmony of creation, offering a spiritual representation rather than a literal depiction of nature.

Muhamad Amsyar bin Ramly, based in Kuala Lumpur, graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Fine Arts (Honours) from Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM) Shah Alam in 2015. He has been an active participant in the Malaysian art scene since 2017 with a diverse body of work exploring various styles and media. In 2022, he was honoured with the Malaysian Emerging Artist Award (MEAA), and in 2023, he showcased his first solo exhibition, “Pixels” at Sareng Gallery, Kuala Lumpur.

Perepat (1996) captures the resilience of the Perepat village community in Sarawak, blending historical and contemporary perspectives. Through a diptych format, the artwork contrasts the scars of labour-intensive work with the educational opportunities now available to the younger generation.
The perepat tree symbolising perseverance, with roots linked to the villagers’ labour is presented as a diptych, grid and puzzle to explore interconnectedness and individuality. The artwork also features layered film photos for depth, containers framing delicate materials, and archival documents stitched with red thread to showcase the lifeblood of the economy. The yellow cyanotype mimics firefly light, while cement symbolises the tension between tradition and modernity.
By weaving these narratives together, the artwork invites viewers to honour the sacrifices made by the villagers and to appreciate the shared humanity within diverse communities.

Born in Sarawak and currently based in Shah Alam, Mairul Nisa Binti Malek is a visual artist whose work masterfully blends personal narratives with broader socio-political themes, offering profound insights into self-identity across varied contexts. In 2023, she received the UOB Painting of the Year (Malaysia) - Most Promising Artist of the Year award. Mairul has exhibited locally and internationally, with her inaugural solo show in October 2023, organised by Freedom A(r)t Home. She holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts and Master’s Degree in Fine Art and Technology from Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM) Shah Alam, and is now pursuing a PhD in Art and Philosophy in the same institution, while continuing her creative practice.

Embrace depicts a foreground with a solitary figure – its silhouette both youthful and aged, symbolising the fleeting passage of time. The scene captures the bittersweet essence of life’s journey, emphasising that the significance of life lies not in the hurried pace or deliberate steps, but in the shared memories and the moments of connection that transcend time.

Zac Lee holds a Diploma in Fine Arts from the Kuala Lumpur College of Art (1990) and Diploma in Illustration from The One Academy of Design (1993). In 2006, he received the Freeman Fellowship at the Vermont Studio Center, USA. He was selected for the Three Shadows Residency in Beijing, China in 2010. He was awarded as the finalist for the Sovereign Asian Art Prize in Hong Kong in 2014, and the Best Theme Award at the Royal Society of Portrait Painter Annual Exhibition London in 2023. Zac has also participated in local and international exhibitions, such as the Asia Week New York in 2015 and 2016.

Baruh (Lowland) visualises 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, green in the growing season and turning golden at harvest. However, beneath this beauty lay profound struggles. 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 crop like a relentless storm. Although such challenges may be less common in the modern era, the artwork encapsulate a raw and enduring reality of life through the repetitive gird patterns and the interplay of positive and negative spaces in green.

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

Reality in Harmony is inspired by the art of tanggam (housing joint), the method of assembling wooden frames in its experimental stage. It is characterised by its strong, interlocking components that emphasise durability and unity. By using tanggam (housing joint) as a visual metaphor, the artwork draws a parallel to the family unit as the foundational structure of society, which is gradually disappearing in reality. The combination of batik and line strokes represents the conflicts and challenges faced in fostering positive societal values.

Ahmad Muhamad bin Mohamed Kamal holds a Bachelor of Arts in Fine Art (Honours) from Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM) Shah Alam in 2009. He has showcased his artworks in local galleries and won the Special Jury Award at the 2019 Waste Art Competition, and the 2nd Prize in Mixed Media at the 2009 Tanjong Heritage Art Competition.