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About UOB Painting of the Year (POY)

Launched in 1982, the annual art competition is the longest-running in Singapore and one of the most recognised in Southeast Asia.

Currently held in Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam, the competition continues to uncover the next generation of great Southeast Asian artists, and contribute to greater awareness and appreciation of art.

The 1st UOB POY Singapore competition was jointly organised by UOB and then Ministry of Culture. To date, UOB Painting of the Year has uncovered more than 1,000 artists across the region, of which, seven alumnus in Singapore have received the Cultural Medallion award.

About the 2024 UOB Programme Identity

Depicted in Chumphon Estuary by Pratchaya Charernsook, 2023 UOB Southeast Asian Painting of the Year Award winner, the imminent threat posed by microplastics infiltrating our life-giving waterways serves as a stark reminder of the need for conservation and sustainable practices to preserve our planet's fragile ecosystems. The conflict between nature and man’s actions, symbolised by the tumultuous energy of a breaking wave bringing invasive particles, underscores the urgency of our environmental crisis.

Relive the 42nd UOB Painting of the Year Awards Ceremony here

Purchase wearable art pieces co-created by UOB Painting of the Year winning artists and artists with special needs from JOURNEY bit.ly/UOBxJOURNEY.
Submit your artwork
UOB invites all established and aspiring artists to join the longest-running art competition

Call-for-entries
In each of us, there is a powerful story waiting to be told. For over 40 years, UOB has helped tell these stories through the UOB Painting of the Year, by championing art in Southeast Asia.

The 43rd UOB Painting of the Year (Singapore) country winner will receive S$33,000 in cash prize as well as a chance to compete for the coveted UOB Southeast Asian Painting of the Year regional award (S$13,000 cash prize) and an art residency programme for their next art-venture.

Competition Guidelines
  • The competition is open to all established and aspiring artists
  • Each artist may submit up to 3 artworks
  • There is no theme for this year’s competition
  • No age limit on submissions
  • No entry fee required

Judging Criteria
Artworks will be judged based on message, creativity, composition and technique.

Contact Us
For queries, please contact:
Singapore: PaintingOfTheYear@UOBgroup.com
Malaysia: POY@UOB.com.my
Indonesia: UOBPOYID@UOB.co.id
Thailand: POY@UOB.co.th
Vietnam: UOBPOYVN@UOBgroup.com

Frequently Asked Questions & User Guide
Should you have any questions on UOB Painting of the Year submissions, please click here.

Thank you for your participation. Submissions for all countries are now closed.

You might ask…

Explore UOB Painting of the Year

The Judges
The Winning Artworks
The Artists' Studio
The Awards Ceremony