United Overseas Bank (UOB) has awarded the 2018 UOB Southeast Asian Painting of the Year award to Indonesian artist Mr Suvi Wahyudianto for his painting titled Angs’t (ANGST). Mr Wahyudianto’s painting was chosen from among the national winners of the UOB Painting of the Year competitions held in Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore and Thailand1.

Indonesian artist’s evocation on social conflict wins UOB Southeast Asian Painting of the Year 2018

Through his painting, the 26-year-old artist examined the themes of social harmony, empathy and the importance of embracing racial and cultural differences following the inter-ethnic tensions in Sampit, Central Kalimantan in February 2001.

A panel of established art industry experts from Southeast Asia was impressed by Mr Wahyudianto’s ability to evoke a sense of empathy towards communities involved in social conflicts. Mr Wahyudianto also experimented with various techniques and textures to transform his ideas into a thought-provoking art piece, including through the creative use of resin, plastic enamel and pigment.

On winning the 2018 UOB Southeast Asian Painting of the Year award, Mr Wahyudianto said:

“Through Angs’t (ANGST), I wanted to share the importance of empathy as beneath our skin, we are all made of the same flesh. As a young professional artist, I am honoured to represent Indonesia at the regional level and to win the 2018 UOB Southeast Asian Painting of the Year award. This is my first international art competition and it has been a rewarding experience.”

Mr Wee Ee Cheong, Deputy Chairman and Group CEO, UOB, said that over the last 37 years, the UOB Painting of the Year has helped showcase the works of emerging and established Southeast Asian artists.