UOB Thailand launches 15th UOB Painting of the Year competition
UOB Thailand launches 15th UOB Painting of the Year competition
as springboard for local artists’ regional growth
Submissions open from now until 31 July 2024
UOB Thailand invites established and emerging Thai artists to showcase their artistic talents at the 15th UOB Painting of the Year (UOB POY) competition. The annual competition, one of the most prestigious in Southeast Asia and Thailand’s only regional art competition, demonstrates UOB’s commitment to elevate Thai artists onto a regional art stage. This flagship art programme not only aims to nurture the next generation of artists, but also encourages them to harness their talents as a powerful voice to highlight societal issues.
Ms Dhornratana Olanhankij, Head of Brand, Media and Communications, UOB Thailand, said, “As a leading patron of arts in Asia, we remain steadfast in fostering artistic excellence within the country and beyond, as we strive to make art more accessible in Thailand and across the region. As the only regional art competition in Thailand, the UOB POY truly provides the platforms for artists to showcase their work regionally, helping them reach a wider audience and to be part of a vibrant community of creators.”
Past UOB POY (Thailand) winners shared how the competition has propelled their career growth.
Mr Sukit Choosri, top winner of the 2017 UOB POY (Thailand), Established Artist Category and 2017 UOB Southeast Asian Painting of the Year (SEA POY) award, said, “The UOB POY competition has been crucial to my journey as an artist. Even after the competition ended, UOB continued to provide opportunities for me to showcase my work. Most recently in March, I had the chance to exhibit at Art Central Hong Kong with UOB. It was a great opportunity to connect with art collectors, galleries, and fellow artists on an international level.”
Last year’s top winner for the 2023 UOB POY (Thailand), Established Artist Category and SEA POY award, Ms Pratchaya Charernsook, said, “Winning the UOB SEA POY award last year was one of the greatest achievements in my life as an artist. This award has brought me more recognition not only within the art community but beyond, including in social circles typically not involved in the art scene.”
Sharing her secrets to success, Ms Prachaya said, “Artists should present topics that genuinely interest them. The artworks submitted should not just visually appealing, but should also be capable of conveying messages to viewers, whether reflecting major global issues like climate change, economic and social disparities, or the challenges of daily life. Artists can also draw upon their own experiences to communicate positive and uplifting messages that resonate with viewers.”
Programme identity design inspired by 2023 Southeast Asia top winning artwork
The programme identity design for the 2024 UOB POY competition was inspired by the 2023 UOB SEA POY winning artwork, Chumphon Estuary featuring microplastics by Ms Pratchaya Charernsook. The design depicts the imminent threat posed by microplastics in life-giving waterways, symbolised by the tumultuous energy of a breaking wave bringing invasive particles.
Call-for-entries for 15th UOB POY competition now open
As one of the most recognised art competitions in Southeast Asia, the UOB POY competition has uncovered over 1,000 established and aspiring artists across the region. The 15th UOB POY competition is open to all established and aspiring artists, Thai citizens and permanent residents, who can submit their entries digitally at
www.uob.co.th/poy. There is no restriction on theme and age. Submissions are open from now until 31 July 2024.
The winners of the 15th UOB POY will be announced at an awards ceremony on 15 October 2024.
The five country winners from Singapore, Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand and Vietnam will compete for the coveted UOB SEA POY award, with a prize award of an additional S$13,000 on top of their respective country award prize, and a chance to participate in a residency programme sponsored by UOB. The winner of the 2024 UOB SEA POY award will be announced at a regional awards ceremony in Singapore on 13 November 2024.
UOB Art Roadshows aim to encourage more on the impact of art
As part of its ongoing effort to uncover the next generation of Thailand artists, UOB Thailand will also roll out its series of “UOB Art Roadshows” at art universities and colleges nationwide. Besides providing a platform for emerging artists to learn from past winners and professional artists, these sessions will empower and inspire more to use art as a catalyst for positive social and environmental change.
“Art has the unique ability to engage people emotionally and intellectually, making it a powerful tool for promoting positive change. Through our community outreach programmes, we hope to encourage more to see the value of art in advocating for environmental care and celebrating cultural diversity, sparking important conversions and inspiring action,” Ms Dhornratana Olanhankij shared.
