News Release - 25 September 2026

Moving tribute to a grandmother's final journey wins 16th UOB Painting of the Year (Malaysia)

“She Waited” by Ms Lim Tong Xin, Winner of the 2026 UOB Painting of the Year (Malaysia), Established Artist Category

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, 25 September 2026 – UOB Malaysia has named multidisciplinary artist Ms Lim Tong Xin as the winner of the 2026 UOB Painting of the Year (POY) (Malaysia) award for her artwork, “She Waited”.

A deeply personal work, the painting reflects on the artist's grandmother's final year of life, capturing the tenderness and vulnerability that emerge as the roles of caregiver and cared-for begin to shift. Through symbolic imagery, textured surfaces, and muted tones, the artwork explores the intertwined nature of compassion and suffering, while honouring the enduring bonds of love that transcend loss. Beyond its technical excellence, the work resonates on a universal level and invites audiences to reflect on themes of care, grief, and human connection.

Datuk Ng Wei Wei, Chief Executive Officer of UOB Malaysia, said, “This year's winning artwork, “She Waited”, exemplifies the power of art to transform deeply personal experiences into stories that resonate on a universal level. Year after year, we are inspired not only by the exceptional quality of Malaysian artistic talent, but also by the thought-provoking perspectives expressed through themes of identity, heritage, hope, and resilience. Through UOB POY, we are proud to provide a platform for local artists to share their stories, and to demonstrate how art can foster understanding, spark meaningful conversations and bring communities closer together.”

As the 2026 UOB POY (Malaysia) winner, Ms Lim will receive a cash prize of RM100,000 and will represent Malaysia at the 2026 UOB Southeast Asian POY competition, where she will compete alongside national winners from Indonesia, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam.

The regional award ceremony will be held in Singapore on 28 October 2026. The UOB Southeast Asian POY winner will receive a cash prize of S$13,000. In addition, all country winners will be eligible to compete for a UOB-sponsored artist residency programme abroad.

Ms Intan Rafiza, Chief Judge of the 2026 UOB POY (Malaysia) competition, said, “This year’s UOB POY offered a compelling glimpse into the breadth of Malaysia’s artistic voices. What resonated with me was not only the quality of the works, but the individuality of thought and perspectives expressed through them. Each artist brought something deeply personal to the canvas and reflected the richness and evolving character of our art landscape. I look forward to seeing how these voices continue to develop and contribute to Malaysia’s artistic future.”

Ms Harpreet Kaur named 2026 UOB Most Promising Artist of the Year (Malaysia) award in the Emerging Artist Category

“Matriach” by Ms Harpreet Kaur, 2026 Most Promising Artist of the Year (Malaysia), Emerging Artist Category

In the Emerging Artist Category, Ms Harpreet Kaur was named Most Promising Artist of the Year for her mixed media artwork, ‘Matriarch’. Part of an ongoing series exploring the Malaysian Sikh diaspora, the work draws on family histories, personal experiences and historical research to reflect themes of identity, belonging, and resilience. Through a dreamlike composition of family members, cultural symbols, and cherished pets, Matriarch celebrates the enduring strength of familial and cultural bonds across generations.

The UOB POY competition started in Singapore in 1982 and expanded to Malaysia in 2011. Today, it is the longest-running art competition in Singapore and one of the most prestigious in Southeast Asia, offering the highest cash prize in Malaysia. Through the competition, UOB continues to champion artistic talent, strengthen the region's arts ecosystem and provide artists with opportunities for recognition, development and regional exposure.

Established Artist Category (Malaysia)

Emerging Artist Category (Malaysia)