News Release - 13 May 2025

UOB Malaysia invites artists to showcase their unique artistry at the 15th UOB Painting of the Year competition

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, 13 May 2025 – UOB Malaysia invites established and emerging artists to unleash their thought-provoking ideas into powerful works of art in the 15th edition of UOB Painting of the Year (POY) (Malaysia) competition.

The UOB POY competition is one of the region’s most prestigious annual art competitions running simultaneously across Indonesia, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam. Launched in Malaysia in 2011, the competition offers one of the highest cash prizes in the country.

Ms Ng Wei Wei, Chief Executive Officer, UOB Malaysia said, “For 15 years, UOB Malaysia has been actively supporting the local art community and empowered close to 150 local artists to grow and thrive in their creative journey. Our Painting of the Year competition continues to be an important platform to uncover local talents, and we remain committed to supporting the development of Malaysia’s creative industry”.

Beyond the competition, the Bank has been providing local artists with opportunities to gain international exposure and recognition. For instance, the Bank supported 2016 UOB POY winner, Yim Yen Sum, to showcase her works at Art Central Hong Kong 2024 and the Indian Ocean Craft Triennial 2024 exhibition in Australia. Last year, UOB Malaysia also sponsored Ahmad Syakir Hashim, 2023 Gold Award Winner for Emerging Artist category, for his first international exhibition at UOB Art Space at Art Jakarta.

Call for the 15th UOB POY (Malaysia) competition entries
The UOB POY (Malaysia) competition is open to all Malaysian citizens and permanent residents. Submissions are to be made online via UOBandArt.com by 31 July 2025.
The 2025 UOB POY (Malaysia) competition features a new panel of judges, including:

1. Ms Intan Rafiza, Performance Artist and Curator, Lead for the Conservation Division at the National Arts Gallery, Malaysia.
2. Mr Khai Hori, Curator, Director and Partner at Chan + Hori Contemporary, a contemporary art gallery focused on curating and showcasing thought-provoking visual arts in Singapore.
3. Mr Kow Leong Kiang, distinguished Malaysian artist, whose works have been showcased globally across Taiwan, Indonesia, Singapore and the United Kingdom.

The winners of the 2025 UOB POY (Malaysia) competition will be announced at an award ceremony in September 2025, where the top country winner will receive a prize money of RM100,000 and compete for the coveted 2025 UOB Southeast Asian Painting of the Year regional award.

The winner of the regional award will walk away with an additional prize of S$13,000 and an opportunity to participate in an overseas residency programme. In addition, all winners will gain access to the UOB Artist Alumni Network, which will enhance UOB’s long-term support for artists through artwork exhibitions at marquee platforms, artwork commissions for display or auctions, overseas artist residency programmes and networking opportunities and engagements with peers and leaders of the art community.