Artwork expressing serenity in isolation wins 2021 UOB Painting of the Year 

SINGAPORE – Malaysian artist Saiful Razman has won the 2021 UOB Southeast Asian Painting of the Year (POY) award for his artwork titled 'Walk in Silence, Don’t Walk Away in Silence'.  

Razman’s artwork was chosen from among the country winners of the 2021 UOB POY competitions held in Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore and Thailand. His winning piece was selected from among a record-high number of entries the competition has received in its 40-year history.

'Walk in Silence, Don’t Walk Away in Silence' was inspired by the quietness and serenity of self-isolation during the COVID-19 pandemic. At the centre of the minimalistic and monochromatic artwork features a haven in the shape of a house that is pure and peaceful, while the surrounding dimensional landscape patterns symbolise mountains.

The creative use of thin-rolled tissue paper and medical gauze on the artwork creates the delicate texture that reflects the current pandemic situation, captivating the panel of judges from the four Southeast Asian countries. 

On winning the 2021 UOB Southeast Asian Painting of the Year award, Razman said, “The Covid-19 pandemic has had a major impact on many people around the world and has also led to feelings of isolation becoming more prevalent than ever.

"Through 'Walk in Silence, Don’t Walk Away in Silence', I wanted to express the absence of sound and the sense of serenity experienced during self-isolation through using mixed media and highly contrasting shades of grey. I am honoured to win the 2021 UOB Southeast Asian Painting of the Year award and to represent Malaysia at one of the most recognised art competitions in this region.” 

The judging panel for the 2021 UOB Southeast Asian Painting of the Year comprised the Chief Judges from each of the four participating countries: Dr Bridget Tracy Tan, director, Institute of Southeast Asian Arts and Art Galleries, and Academic Advisor, Southeast Asian Arts, Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts, Singapore and who is also the Regional Chief Judge; Agung Hujatnikajennong, lecturer, Faculty of Art and Design, Bandung Institute of Technology, Indonesia; Bibi Chew, art advisor and leading Malaysian contemporary artist, Malaysia; Emeritus Professor Parinya Tantisuk, leading Thai artist, Thailand. 

For this special anniversary year, UOB has invited Eddie Hara, a leading Indonesian contemporary artist, well known for his colourful visualisation vocabulary in art, to be the Regional and Singapore Guest Judge. 

Established Artist Category: Keane Tan wins the 2021 UOB Painting of the Year (Singapore) Award 

Keane Tan, 22, was presented the 2021 UOB POY (Singapore) award for his painting titled 'A Dramatic Cinematic for Our Century'. The three-time award recipient of the competition illustrated a scene of Singapore’s iconic Merlion Park, with crashing blue waves in a highly-graphic and dramatised style.

Tan took inspiration from Hokusai’s 'The Great Wave off Kanagawa' and the Merlion Park statue to tell the story of a Southeast Asia city. He draws the comparison of the flood to a purge of the society’s excesses, with a time for reset that is eminent.

The magnificent artwork uses image generation and machine learning technologies to create the base, followed by detailed finishing in oil paint. 

Tan graduated from the Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts, Singapore and his art practice focuses on metamodernist art, post-pandemic philosophy and macro aesthetics. His success in winning the top UOB POY (Singapore) – Established Artist Category award this year demonstrates the story of how UOB has nurtured his journey in art where he first won a Bronze award in the Emerging Artist Category four years ago. 

Emerging Artist Category: 2021 UOB Most Promising Artist of the Year Award (Singapore) 

Brian Ko, 20, won the 2021 UOB Most Promising Artist of the Year Award (Singapore) in the Emerging Artist Category for his painting titled 'Uncertainty of Photovoltaic Cells'.

His abstract representation of a black solar panel in disrepair symbolises mankind’s renewed efforts on and commitment towards driving sustainability, while reflecting the uncertainty that lies ahead.

The misalignment of the shapes and lines embodies human fallibility in mankind’s efforts to create a sustainable future where there is no simple or perfect solution to the existential threat of climate change. Ko graduated from the School of the Arts, Singapore. 

The 2021 UOB POY Virtual Awards Ceremony was broadcasted yesterday on UOB YouTube. The winning paintings from across the region (see Appendix) are exhibited at the UOB Art Gallery, UOB Plaza 1 in Singapore until February 28, 2022 as well as virtually on www.UOBandArt.com. 

As part of this year’s anniversary programme, all country winners will attend a one-month residency programme at either the Fukuoka Asian Art Museum in Japan or the UOB Art Gallery in Shanghai, China.

Through the programme, these artists will have the opportunity to immerse themselves in the art culture of the host country and to learn about various approaches to art creation.

UOB POY celebrates 40-year milestone 

This year marks the 40th anniversary of the UOB POY, the Bank’s flagship regional visual arts programme.  The UOB POY is the longest-running art competition in Singapore and has helped more than 1,000 artists across the region share their works on a larger stage.

Many have gone on to define Southeast Asian art including Goh Beng Kwan, the late Anthony Poon and Chua Ek Kay, who were also recipients of the Singapore Cultural Medallion, Singapore’s most distinguished art award. The country winner of the 2010  UOB POY (Thailand), Pannaphan Yodmanee, has also gone on to win the distinguished Benesse  Prize2, the official award of the Singapore Biennale, in 2016. 

Wee Ee Cheong, deputy chairman and chief executive officer, UOB, said that the vital role of art in connecting communities has shone through from the very first year of the competition. 

“We appreciate the special role artists play in society as they help to challenge, to inspire and to connect us all. Over the last four decades, the UOB Painting of the Year competition has helped to uncover and nurture our region’s artists, making their artworks accessible to a wider audience."

To commemorate the UOB POY 40-year milestone, the Bank has introduced a new award trophy modelled after Vitalità, a bronze sculpture commissioned by UOB and created by foremost Italian sculptor, Anna  Chiara Spellini.

Embodying the vital energy in the visceral line of this sculpture, Vitalità has been endowed with the vigour of being ready to move upward and forward.

Bank launches UOB Digital Art Grant to drive forward-thinking in visual arts 

The Bank is also launching the UOB Digital Art Grant in partnership with the National Arts Council Singapore (NAC) through a donation of S$200,000 to the Sustain the Arts  (stART) Fund3.

The UOB Digital Art Grant is part of the stART Fund, an initiative by the NAC, supported by the private sector to boost the long-term sustainability of small arts organisations and to nurture a culture of giving to the arts.

The new grant aims to foster the use of digital technologies in art. Arts organisations interested to apply for the UOB Digital Art Grant can submit their proposals to the NAC at  [email protected].  – The Vibes, November 30, 2021