HÀ NỘI — Award-winning works of eight artists, who won the 2023 UOB Painting of the Year Vietnam, are on display at an exhibition at the Museum of Fine Arts in Hà Nội.

Alongside the winning paintings, the exhibition also showcases other works by the eight artists. The event aims to introduce talented artists from the competition to the art-loving public, to promote Vietnamese art.

Visitors at an exhibition that showcases artworks by eight winning artists of the 2023 UOB Painting of the Year Vietnam. — VNS Photo Thúy Hằng

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).

Art lovers look at the artwork 'Thủy Phủ' (Water Palace) by artist Trịnh Minh Tiến. The artwork, which was created on a car hood, has been given the highest award, the UOB Painting of the Year. — VNS Photo Thúy Hằng

"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.

Tạ Duy Tùng (Most Promising Artist of the Year Emerging Artist Category, first left), winner of the Established Artist Category, Dương Ngọc Tuấn (Bronze Prize, second left), Lại Diệu Hà (Silver Prize, third left), Trịnh Minh Tiến (UOB Painting of the Year Prize, second right), and Nguyễn Anh Vũ (Silver Prize – Emerging Artist Category, first right), attended the opening of the exhibition in Hà Nội on Friday. — VNS Photo Thúy Hằng

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