KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia, Oct 26 (Bernama) -- UOB Malaysia today presented the 2021 UOB Painting of the Year (Malaysia) award to 41-year-old Mr Saiful Razman for his artwork titled, ‘Walk in Silence, Don't Walk Away in Silence’. As the winner of the prestigious award, Mr Razman received a cash prize
of RM100,000 and stands a chance to win a one-month residency programme at either the renowned Fukuoka Asian Art Museum in Japan or the UOB Art Gallery in Shanghai, China. 

Pushing the limits of imagination and ingenuity, Mr Razman’s artwork created during the COVID-19 pandemic was inspired by the quietness and serenity experienced during self-isolation. Through his mixed media piece, he experimented with thin-rolled tissue paper and gauze to create ethereal, opaque and tonal layers. At the centre of his artwork lays a haven that is pure and peaceful, designed using simplified shapes to illustrate a house. Surrounding it is a backdrop of dimensional landscape patterns symbolising mountains. They are displayed in a high contrast environment depicted by the shades of colours.

Explaining his artwork and commenting on his win, Mr Razman said, “‘Walk in Silence, Don’t Walk Away in Silence’ is a minimalistic and monochromatic artwork that subtly captures the attention of the viewer while invoking equivocal narratives. I am honoured to win the 2021 UOB Painting of the Year (Malaysia) award and I am delighted that my artwork will represent Malaysia for the overall UOB Southeast Asian Painting of the Year award.”

Ms Bibi Chew, Chief Judge of the 2021 UOB Painting of the Year (Malaysia) competition, said, “Each year, we are extremely encouraged to see more artists challenging themselves creatively. Besides a surge in the number of entries we received this year, we are seeing a diversity in the type of materials and subject matters used for their artwork. We are thankful that UOB Malaysia continues to support local artists by providing a platform to display their art, to express themselves and to voice their message especially in unexceptionally challenging times. We are excited with Mr Saiful Razman’s win and we look forward to seeing him compete with other UOB Painting of the Year country winners.”

Mr Razman’s painting will compete with other winning entries from Indonesia, Singapore and Thailand for the 2021 UOB Southeast Asian Painting of the Year award, which will be announced at a virtual award ceremony on 26 November 2021. 

Mr Razman joins the ranks of past UOB Painting of the Year (Malaysia) winners, including Mr Sabri Idrus, Ms Cheng Yen Pheng, Ms Cheong Kiet Cheng, Mr Chok Yue Zan, Ms Yim Yen Sum, Ms Minstrel Kuik and Mr Gan Tee Sheng, who have gone on to receive national and international acclaim for their artworks. 

In the Emerging Artist Category, 24-year-old Ms Jaclyn Teh Ya Zi won the Most Promising Artist of the Year award for her artwork titled ‘Hi’. The artwork is a visual representation of someone with social anxiety trying to hide from everyday interaction. Using a combination of thread, cotton and acrylic paint, Ms Teh
has designed an artwork that conveys the true feelings felt by a person struggling with social anxiety and how they would react in such a situation. 

Mr Wong Kim Choong, Chief Executive Officer, UOB Malaysia, said, “Although the movement control order led to some restrictions, the UOB Painting of the Year (Malaysia) carries on albeit digitally and virtually. This underlines the Bank’s commitment to promoting and to developing art in the country, built
on the belief that art has the ability to unite community, to bring people closer together and to improve our well-being during these challenging times. 

“Now in its 11th year, we continue to recognise and to elevate Malaysian artists through the UOB Painting of the Year (Malaysia) competition. This is an annual competition that uncovers homegrown talents and gives them the opportunity to display their skills across the region. Despite the current challenges, we
saw many talented artists continue to persevere and to rise to the occasion by taking experiences from the pandemic as a source of inspiration for their works. The quality and mastery of the winning artworks tell a multitude of stories, including those of hope, strength, resilience and overcoming adversity. We are
pleased to have received yet another year of record entries from both established and emerging artists from across the country. This is testament to the competition's stature and reputation as one of the most recognised art competitions in the region,” Mr Wong said. 

The public may view the winning paintings from the Established and Emerging Artist Categories of the 2021 UOB Painting of the Year (Malaysia) at the virtual UOB Art gallery.   



Images: https://we.tl/t-Q1QwW5N3W5

About UOB and Art
At United Overseas Bank (UOB), we believe that art transcends language, culture, geographies and time. Its history gives people a sense of identity and perspective, it informs with the present and it creates a future for the imagination. Art builds relationships and unites people. As such and given our longstanding presence in the region, we have been behind Southeast Asian art for more than four decades.

Driven by a passion to encourage talented artists in their creative pursuits, UOB started the Painting of the Year competition in Singapore in 1982 and introduced it in Malaysia in 2011. Today, the annual art competition is the longest-running in Singapore and one of the most prestigious in Southeast Asia. 2021 marks the 40th anniversary of the Bank’s flagship regional art competition.  

About UOB Malaysia
United Overseas Bank (Malaysia) Bhd (UOB Malaysia) was incorporated in 1993 but has had presence in Malaysia since 1951. Today, UOB Malaysia is the most profitable and largest foreign bank operating in Malaysia by total assets, loans and deposits and has 45 branches across the country offering both conventional and Islamic banking services. It offers an extensive range of financial products and services through its branches and subsidiaries such as corporate and commercial lending, investment banking, treasury services, trade services, cash management, custody services, home loans, credit cards, wealth management, and bancassurance products. 

UOB Malaysia is rated among the top banks in Malaysia with a long term AAA rating from Ra tings Agency of Malaysia. Guided by our rich heritage and values, we have built lasting relationships with our customers and continue to ensure we act in their best interest by delivering solutions that meet their financial goals and suit their lifestyles and preferences.

UOB Malaysia is a subsidiary of UOB, a leading bank in Asia with a global network of more than 500 offices in 19 countries and territories in Asia Pacific, Europe and North America. Over more than eight decades, generations of UOB employees have carried through the entrepreneurial spirit, the focus on long term value creation and an unwavering commitment to do what is right for our customers and our colleagues. 

UOB believes in being a responsible financial services provider and is commit ted to making a difference in the lives of its stakeholders and in the communities in which it operates. Just as it is dedicated to helping its customers manage their finances wisely and to grow their businesses, UOB is steadfast in its support of social development, particularly in the areas of art, children and education. 

For further information, please visit http://www.uob.com.my 

Source: UOB Malaysia

FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT: 
Name: Nizam Arop
Strategic Communications and Brand
Tel: 03-9195 2786/ 017-333 6329
Email : nizam.arop@uob.com.my 

Name: Averlyn Lim
Strategic Communications and Brand
Tel: 03-9195 2793 / 018-229 9168
Email: averlyn.limsl@uob.com.my

--BERNAMA