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Mr Yong is one of four artists in the Established Artist Category, together with another four aspiring artists in the Emerging Artist Category, recognised at the 43^rd UOB POY (Singapore) competition. He will also compete with the four other UOB POY country winners for a two-month UOB-NAFA, UAS artist residency programme at Cité internationale des arts in Paris.

Deeply personal depiction of motherhood clinches Most Promising Artist of the Year (Singapore) award

Ms Joanna Maneckji was awarded the 2024 Most Promising Artist of the Year (Singapore) under the Emerging Artist Category for her artwork, "That Blessed Mood". Composed of paper collage on card paper, the artwork depicts a mother and child reclining in a hammock, peacefully enjoying a sunny afternoon in a garden. Beyond the joyous and contented image of motherhood, the antique photo album paper used as the mother's skin disguises a layer of paper from a Financial Times article with the words, "I'm not afraid". These powerful words signify a mother's strength beneath fragility, a poignant reminder of the resilience required in the journey of motherhood.

UOB Artist Alumni Network to provide greater support for artists

UOB officially launched the UOB Artist Alumni Network at the awards ceremony, the pioneering competition-based alumni network for artists. The Network aims to further elevate the profiles of UOB artists in Southeast Asia and Greater China, while also facilitating greater connectivity and collaborations across the region.

The Network will enhance the Bank's long-term support for artists through four key areas –

• artwork exhibitions at marquee platforms like Art Jakarta and Art Central in Hong Kong, where UOB is a lead partner;

• artwork commissions for display or auctions;

• overseas artist residency programmes; and

• networking opportunities and engagements with peers and leaders of the art community.

The 43^rd UOB POY Regional Winners' Showcase will be held at National Gallery Singapore, UOB Discovery Space from 16 November 2024 to 26 January 2025, open from 10am to 7pm daily, and on UOBandArt.com.         

About UOB and Art

UOB's involvement in art started in the 1970s with its collection of paintings by Singapore artists. Today, the UOB Art Collection has more than 2,600 artworks, made up primarily of paintings from established and emerging Southeast Asian artists.

UOB plays an active role in communities across the region, most notably through its long-term commitment to art. As the leading patron of the arts in Asia, the Bank continues to make art accessible to a wider audience through a diverse range of visual art programmes, partnerships and community outreach across the region.

The Bank's flagship art programme is the UOB Painting of the Year competition, which was started in 1982 to recognise Southeast Asian artists and to offer them the opportunity to showcase their works to the wider community. The competition was extended to Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand and in 2023, to Vietnam. It is now the longest running art competition in Singapore and one of the most prestigious in Southeast Asia.

Over the past 40 years, the competition has cultivated and advanced the careers of many artists in Singapore. Notable among them are Mr Goh Beng Kwan (1982 winner), and the late Mr Anthony Poon (1983 winner) and Mr Chua Ek Kay (1991 winner), who received the Singapore Cultural Medallion, Singapore's most distinguished art award.

The competition has also recognised talents from across the region through the UOB Southeast Asian POY award. Previous winners include Ms Pratchaya Charernsook from Thailand in 2023, Mr Chomrawi Suksom from Thailand in 2022, Mr Saiful Razman from Malaysia in 2021, Mr Prabu Perdana from Indonesia in 2020, Mr Anagard from Indonesia in 2019, Mr Suvi Wahyudianto from Indonesia in 2018, Mr Sukit Choosri from Thailand in 2017, Mr Gatot Indrajati from Indonesia in 2016, Mr Anggar Prasetyo from Indonesia in 2015, Mr Antonius Subiyanto from Indonesia in 2014 and Ms Stefanie Hauger from Singapore in 2013.

Together with the UOB POY winning artists, UOB also runs art workshops for underprivileged and special needs children regularly. At these workshops, the young learn art techniques from art professionals and award-winning artists.

In recognition of the Bank's long-term commitment to art, UOB was presented with the Singapore National Arts Council's Distinguished Patron of the Arts Award for the 18^th consecutive year in 2022.

About UOB

UOB is a leading bank in Asia. Operating through its head office in Singapore and banking subsidiaries in China, Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand and Vietnam, UOB has a global network of around 500 offices in 19 countries and territories in Asia Pacific, Europe and North America. Since its incorporation in 1935, UOB has grown organically and through a series of strategic acquisitions. Today, UOB is rated among the world's top banks: Aa1 by Moody's Investors Service and AA- by both S&P Global Ratings and Fitch Ratings.

For nearly nine decades, UOB has adopted a customer-centric approach to create long-term value by staying relevant through its enterprising spirit and doing right by its customers. UOB is focused on building the future of ASEAN – for the people and businesses within, and connecting with, ASEAN.

The Bank connects businesses to opportunities in the region with its unparalleled regional footprint and leverages data and insights to innovate and create personalised banking experiences and solutions catering to each customer's unique needs and evolving preferences. UOB is also committed to help businesses forge a sustainable future, by fostering social inclusiveness, creating positive environmental impact and pursuing economic progress. UOB believes in being a responsible financial services provider and is steadfast in its support of art, social development of children and education, doing right by its communities and stakeholders.

APPENDIX A: Winners of the 2024 UOB POY competition (Regional)

Established Artist Category (Regional) – UOB POY Award

Emerging Artist Category (Regional) – Most Promising Artist of the Year Award

APPENDIX B: Winners of the 2024 UOB POY competition (Singapore)

Established Artist Category (Singapore)

Emerging Artist Category (Singapore)

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SOURCE UOB