Art Agenda

Art has the power to transcend boundaries, language, and culture, sparking conversations while uniting people and building communities.

It informs about the past and shapes the future of imagination. Believing in the boundless potential of Southeast Asian art and artists, UOB has been a leading patron of the arts in the region, annually hosting one of the most prestigious art competitions-the UOB Painting of the Year (POY) to uncover and nurture artistic talent.

With a record-breaking number of submissions this year, the 13th UOB Painting of the Year (Malaysia) awards ceremony held at Sentul Pavilion on September 21 showcased the winning artworks of eight artists under two categories: Established Art Category and Emerging Artist Category.

Chong Kim Chiew, 49, emerged as the grand winner of the competition for his artwork titled Malaya and British Bor One Dollar 1953 (We look at the past, we look at the present). Aiming to create a sense of nostalgia, Chong’s artwork featured a twopiece mirror image of a banknote from the British Malaya era, recreating the currency that was in circulation for 15 years from 1953 to 1967 and used across Brunei, Malaya, North Borneo, Riau archipelago, Sarawak and Singapore.