This piece is a minimalistic and monochromatic artwork that subtly captures the attention of the viewer while invoking equivocal narratives, explains Saiful Razman, winner of the 2021 UOB Painting of the Year (Malaysia) award about his winning masterpiece.
UOB Malaysia today presented the prestigious award to 41-year-old Saiful for his artwork titled, ‘Walk in Silence, Don’t Walk Away in Silence’.
One of the most recognised annual art competitions in the region, it uncovers homegrown talents and gives them the opportunity to display their skills across the region, says Wong Kim Choong, Chief Executive Officer, UOB Malaysia. Now in its 11th year, UOB continues to recognise and to elevate Malaysian artists through the UOB Painting of the Year (Malaysia) competition.
“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 developing art in the country, built on the belief that art has the ability to unite the community, bring people closer together and to improve our well-being during these challenging times.
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, 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.
“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,” he says.
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 diversity in the type of materials and subject matter used for their artwork. “
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.
He 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 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, Teh 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.
The public may view the winning paintings from the Established and Emerging Artist Categories of the2021 UOB Painting of the Year (Malaysia) at the virtual UOB Art gallery.
