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United Overseas Bank (Thailand) (UOB Thai) presented the UOB Thailand Painting of the Year 2016 award to Mr Jongjit Moolmat for his painting titled, ‘Awaiting Enlightenment 2’.

The 36-year-old artist impressed the panel of judges with his oil painting of a human head emerging from the water, similar to how a lotus flower rises above the water line. The painting is symbolic of a person’s fighting spirit to rise above their struggles.

Mr Jongjit Moolmat said, “This painting was borne of my struggle with grief and disappointment. In the process of dealing with these emotions, I realised that they are a natural and unavoidable part of life. No matter how the storms of life batter us, we have to learn how to rise above life’s circumstances and live with clarity and hope.”

“As a Thai artist, I am honoured to win the UOB Thailand Painting of the Year prize and represent my country in the UOB Southeast Asian Painting of the Year competition. I also look forward to the opportunity to exhibit my artwork on a regional stage,” Mr Jongjit added. 

Awaiting Enlightenment 2 was chosen from among four finalists in the Established Artist category at this year’s UOB Thailand Painting of the Year competition. As the winner, Mr Jongjit received a cash prize of US$25,000 (750,000 baht). His artwork will go on to compete with the winning entries from other UOB Painting of the Year country competitions held in Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore for the UOB Southeast Asian Painting of the Year Award.

‘Awaiting Enlightenment 2’ will also be exhibited at the UOB Art Gallery, located at the Bank’s regional headquarters in Singapore.  In addition, Mr Jongjit stands a chance to win a one-month residency programme at the Fukuoka Asian Art Museum in Japan.

In the Emerging Artist category, 25-year-old Mr Ketsakda Wimolsong won the UOB Most Promising Artist of the Year award for his painting titled ‘Effect of Consumerism’. The winning piece, also an oil painting, portrays the adverse environmental effects of plastic. It depicts how bad consumption habits can have unintended consequences and take root in society.

Mr Peter Foo, President and Chief Executive Officer of UOB (Thai), said that the UOB Thailand Painting of the Year competition aims to showcase to a regional audience the breadth of talent and creativity in Thailand.

“Over the past seven years, the competition has helped to introduce many emerging and established Thai artists to the rest of Southeast Asia. Their success will inspire others to follow in their footsteps and to contribute to the growth of Thailand’s thriving art community,” said Mr Foo.

The winning entries were selected by a panel of judges comprising Mr Amrit Chusuwan, Dean of the Faculty of Painting Sculpture and Graphic Arts, Silpakorn University; Professor Emeritus Dr. Santi Leksukhum, Art History Specialist; and Mr Chatvichai Promadhattavedi, Board Member and Secretary of Bangkok Art and Culture Centre Foundation Executive Board.

The 2016 UOB Thailand Painting of the Year winners’ showcase
The winning paintings will be exhibited at Bangkok Art and Culture Centre from 25 October to 6 November 2016. The exhibition is open to the public and admission is free.

List of winners of the 2016 UOB Thailand Painting of the Year competition