Commentary on humans turning Earth to Wasteland takes the top

2019 UOB Painting of the Year (Thailand) Award

10^th year of competition sees record number of entries

United Overseas Bank (Thai) Public Company Limited (UOB Thai) announced the 2019 UOB Painting of the Year (Thailand) was awarded to 28-year-old Mr Chaichana Luetrakun for his painting titled Wastescape. The acrylic on canvas piece uses a layering technique to create rich detail which depicts the negative impact humans are having on the environment. The artist leads the viewer to consider, in particular, what the future will be with more electrical waste heaped upon the earth.

This year’s UOB Painting of the Year (Thailand) competition, its tenth, also drew the largest number of entries since the annual competition began ten years ago. There was a 39 percent increase in submissions over last year’s competition. Over the ten-year old competition, Mr Chaichana is the first to win in two consecutive years. He was awarded the country’s Most Promising Artist of the Year in 2018 prior to this year’s win. 

On receiving the award this year, Mr Chaichana said, "I hope my art can make more people understand that the world is drowning in ever-growing stockpiles of waste from discarded electronics. It is through art that I can best express my thoughts and concerns.  I have appreciated the experiences and opportunities gained from the UOB Painting of the Year (Thailand) competition which have helped pave the way to today's recognition. I am so proud to receive this award and I look forward to representing Thailand on the regional stage."

Mr Chaichana's artwork impressed the judges with its concept reflecting the global issue of electrical waste (e-waste) which is rapidly growing issue. The judging committee said that Mr Chaichana's striking artwork was able to hold its own at a local and an international level.

The panel of judges for this year’s UOB Painting of the Year (Thailand) competition comprised Assistant Professor Somporn Rodboon, an independent curator for collections exhibited in both local and international museums; Emeritus Professor Parinya Tantisuk, Thailand National Artist of visual arts (painting) in 2018; and Mr Amrit Choosuwan, honorary artist and vice president for Arts and Culture at Silpakorn University.

As the winner in this year’s UOB Painting of the Year (Thailand), Established Artist category, Mr Chaichana received a cash prize of US$25,000 (750,000 baht) and his artwork will go on to compete with the UOB Painting of the Year country winners from Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore for the 2019 UOB Southeast Asian Painting of the Year award. Mr Chaichana also stands a chance to win a one-month residency programme at the Fukuoka Asian Art Museum in Japan. In addition, his artwork Wastescape will be exhibited at the UOB Art Gallery, located at the Bank’s headquarters in Singapore.

In the Emerging Artist category, 23-year-old Mr Somchai Sidamon won the 2019 UOB Most Promising Artist of the Year (Thailand) award. Mr Somchai’s mixed media on wood artwork, titled Faces – Reflections of Life No. 2, represents the hardship and fatigue of his family’s livelihood and their struggles to earn a living in a rural environment. The artist based his piece on the technique of making leather shadow puppets and combined it with the use of colour to draw out the structure, expressions and character lines of the faces of his kin.

Mr Tan Choon Hin, President and Chief Executive Officer of UOB (Thai), in congratulating this year’s winners, said the Bank was steadfast in nurturing passionate Thai artists and providing them with opportunities to showcase their talent on the regional art scene.

“The 2019 UOB Painting of the Year (Thailand) competition underlines our unwavering commitment and dedication to motivate and to inspire established and emerging Thai artists in their creative pursuits. We encourage them to push their creative boundaries through the annual competition that helps to uncover the abundant talent we have in this country. We are pleased to receive record entries in the competition’s tenth year milestone this year.  Through our flagship art programme, we continue to encourage their artistic passion and to profile them on the international stage,” Mr Tan said.

The 10^th UOB Painting of the Year (Thailand) Winners’ Showcase

The winning and shortlisted paintings from both Established Artist and Emerging Artist categories will be exhibited at the Bangkok Art and Culture Centre from 1 to 13 October 2019, at UOB (Thai) Head Office on Sathon Road from 14 to 31 October 2019 and at UOB (Thai) Phetkasem Building from 1 to 15 November 2019. The exhibitions are open to the public and admission is free.

List of winners of the 10th UOB Painting of the Year (Thailand) competition

3^rd October 2019
For More information, please contact
Strategic Communications and Customer Advocacy
United Overseas Bank (Thai) Pcl.
Nida Puwanich Tel. 0-2343-4963