The artworks are diverse in their forms of expression, including an air-brushed car hood, oil on canvas, oil pastel and carving. Besides, the artworks have conveyed profound messages about humanity, culture, and modern society.

Launched in 1982 to promote art and culture in the region and to showcase the talent of established and emerging artists, the UOB Painting of the Year is Singapore's longest-running annual art competition and one of the most prestigious in Southeast Asia. The competition has been expanded to Indonesia, Malaysia and Thailand. In 2023, the competition was held for the first time in Việt Nam. The competition has uncovered more than 1,000 artistic talents across the region since its inception.

In Việt Nam, the competition attracted the participation of numerous emerging and established artists from across the country. Eight Vietnamese artists have been selected to grant awards in two categories, Emerging Artist and Established Artist.

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).

"This competition is a great opportunity for Vietnamese artists to showcase their talents and gain recognition in the international art market, bringing greater value to the Vietnamese art scene," Chairman of the Việt Nam Fine Arts Association, artist Lương Xuân Đoàn shared.

"The UOB Painting of the Year competition has not only brought value from a community perspective but also nurtured potential artistic talents and provided motivation for artists to develop their careers and shine both regionally and internationally," award-winning artist Tiến said.

For artist Tùng, the competition is an opportunity for artists in the country to exchange and learn, as well as a stepping stone to understand more about art in other ASEAN countries.

“The awards from the competition serve as a strong motivation for young artists like me to continue pursuing our artistic paths. It has reignited a strong passion for art in me at the age of 20, something I thought I had forgotten," he said.

In addition to the UOB Painting of the Year competition, the initiator UOB also provides opportunities and supports Vietnamese artists to participate in regional art events.

Winner Tiến will participate in Art Central in Hong Kong, which will bring together numerous artistic talents from across Asia during a four-day event from March 28-31.

Earlier, artist Dương Ngọc Tuấn, who won the Bronze Prize of the UOB Painting of the Year Vietnam, was sent to attend Art Jakarta in Indonesia in November 2023.

UOB Painting of the Year is expected to launch in Việt Nam for the second time in early May 2024, continuing to provide a platform for Vietnamese artists, especially undiscovered talents, to shine and further develop their careers both domestically and regionally.

The exhibition opens to the public for free until March 31. After Hà Nội, the exhibition will travel to Huế Museum of Fine Arts from April 17-30. — VNS