UOB Painting of the Year 2024 exhibition opens in Hanoi

THE HANOI TIMES — The  UOB Painting of the Year 2024 (UOB POY) exhibition is now on display at the Vietnam Fine Arts Museum, captivating the public with a compelling collection of artworks that reflect the boundless individuality and innovation of the artists.

Now in its second year in Vietnam, the UOB Painting of the Year competition has attracted thousands of submissions from emerging and professional artists. Six Vietnamese artists were honored across two categories: Emerging Artist and Established Artist, with Nguyen Viet Cuong won the top prize for Dong Chay (Flow), while Phan Tu Tran was named 2024 Most Promising Artist for Doraeco.

"The works stand out for their inventive use of materials—ranging from silk and lacquer to rice and coal—and for blending contemporary expression with traditional Vietnamese values,” said Dang Xuan Hoa, Chairman of the Painting Arts Council and Chief Judge of the UOB Painting of the Year Vietnam. 

Flow, the grand prize-winning piece by Nguyen Viet Cuong, stands out for its use of two unconventional native materials: coal and rice. Reflecting a meticulous process, the artist cleaned and crushed coal into fine pebbles before spreading it over canvas. Rice was ground into powder, mixed with glue, and poured through a sieve to complete the textured composition.

"The Quang Ninh coal represents the industrial minerals of the Red River Delta in the north, while the rice symbolizes the agricultural bounty of the Mekong Delta in the south. Thus, the artwork reflects my connection as a native of rural southern Vietnam, drawing on my experiences of both industrial and agricultural life," he explained.

Meanwhile, artist Phan Tu Tran's "Doraecon," which won the Most Promising Artist of the Year award, is a vivid and playful exploration of form and narrative. Described as a "play" of colors and layers of imagery, the piece uses synthetic materials layered over red velvet, plastic panels, and epoxy-coated protective balloons.

The artwork reimagines the classic deck of cards with Earth, Water, Air, and Energy represented as Jack of Diamonds, Queen of Hearts, King of Spades, and Queen of Clubs. At its center, a confused Doraemon on the Joker card symbolizes the tension between technological progress and environmental impact. The final, blank card hints at an uncertain future shaped by both innovation and its consequences.

The artist, originally an illustrator, now creates layered, contemporary visuals that blend familiar imagery with fresh ideas, addressing social and environmental issues in an accessible way.

In conjunction with the exhibition, the talk Contemporary on Heritage (May 7) discussed how artists can balance personal identity with the preservation of Vietnamese fine arts.

Following Hanoi, art talks will continue in Hue and Ho Chi Minh City this May, fostering dialogue between generations of Vietnamese artists. The events aim to inspire young creators to push boundaries and elevate Vietnamese visual arts internationally.

The third annual UOB POY Competition in Vietnam (2025) is now open for entries, with a deadline of August 1. The competition is open to all Vietnamese citizens and foreign permanent residents, with no entry fee. Submissions must be original works, created within the past two years, and not previously awarded. Artists may submit one piece, with a recommended size limit of 180cm per side. Entries must be uploaded as digital images to the official competition website.

Launched in Singapore in 1982, the UOB POY competition provides a platform for artists to showcase their work to a regional audience.