HÀ NỘI — All emerging and established Vietnamese artists have been invited to submit their creative works to compete at the second UOB Painting of the Year (UOB POY) competition.

One of the most prestigious art competitions in Southeast Asia, UOB POY aims to support the regional art scene. The competition expanded to Việt Nam for its inaugural edition last year, providing Vietnamese artists with the opportunity to showcase their talents alongside their counterparts from Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand and Indonesia. To date it has discovered more than 1,000 artistic talents across the region.

Judges of the UOB POY in Việt Nam, (from left to right) Trịnh Tuân, Đặng Xuân Hòa, Lương Xuân Đoàn, Nguyễn Thị Châu Giang, CEO of UOB Vietnam, Victor Ngo, and Head of Fine Arts, Photography and Exhibition Department from the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, Mã Thế Anh, pour coloured sand into vases – a symbolic act to officially inaugurate the 2nd UOB POY competition in Việt Nam on May 7. — VNS Photo Hữu Phú

According to the CEO of UOB Vietnam, Victor Ngo, Việt Nam has a vibrant art scene teeming with many young talents, as seen from the numerous outstanding artworks entered at the first competition last year.

“As a leading patron of the arts in Asia, we aspire to foster an environment conducive to the discovery and growth of Vietnamese artists, making art more accessible and inspiring the next generation of talent. Through the competition, we want to continue uncovering and nurturing artistic talents, and showcase their works to a wider community in Vietnam and across the region,” he said.

Entries for the second UOB POY competition in Việt Nam are open until August 1, to all Vietnamese citizens and permanent residents.

Artists are invited to submit original paintings created within the last two years, with no entry fee required.

A panel of judges comprising prominent figures in the Việt Nam art scene will select the winning artworks based on their creativity, technique and artistic expression.

Chief judge and artist Đặng Xuân Hòa, who was a judge for the competition in Singapore in 2015, said: “This competition is a valuable opportunity for artists, especially young ones, to showcase their talents and learn about new and modern art styles. To establish their footing on a regional stage, Vietnamese artists need to infuse their creativity with new, modern ideas, while staying rooted in Vietnamese national traditions and maintaining their unique identity.

“I hope this year’s competition will attract many excellent works and help Vietnam further grow its presence on the regional art map." 

CEO of UOB Vietnam, Victor Ngo, delivers a speech at the inauguration of the second UOB POY competition in Việt Nam on May 7. — VNS Photo Hữu Phú

The winners of the second UOB POY in Việt Nam will be showcased in a public exhibition in HCM City in October.

The top artist in Việt Nam will win VNĐ500 million and a chance to compete for the UOB Southeast Asian Painting of the Year Award (worth an additional SGD$13,000) and an artist residency programme. The regional winner will be announced at the regional award ceremony in Singapore in November.

At the inaugural UOB POY in Việt Nam last year, the highest award, UOB Painting of the Year, was awarded to artist Trịnh Minh Tiến for his artwork Thủy Phủ (Water Palace), while the top Emerging Artist award was presented to artist Tạ Duy Tùng for his artwork Trên Con Đường (On the Road).

Judges of the second UOB POY in Việt Nam, Trịnh Tuân (2nd L), Lương Xuân Đoàn (3rd L), Đặng Xuân Hòa (3rd R), Nguyễn Thị Châu Giang (2nd R), and Ace Lê – founding director of Lân Tinh Foundation, a non-profit organisation dedicated to the research, archival and exhibition of Vietnamese modern and contemporary art, talk with audience at the inauguration of the 2nd UOB POY competition in Việt Nam on May 7. —VNS Photo Thúy Hằng

Artist Tiến said that winning the competition gave him many opportunities to broaden his artistic horizons, reinforcing his belief that contemporary art knows no bounds.

“I am grateful and inspired by UOB’s efforts to connect the art community across borders," he said.

For further details on how to enter the competition, please visit UOBandArt.com. VNS