Artwork portraying fragmented picture of idealism wins the 2024 UOB Painting of the Year (Indonesia)

The Idol of Unmoved Uncaused Cause Mover
Mr Muhammad Yakin, 2024 UOB Painting of the Year (Indonesia) Award

Jakarta, 16 October 2024 – UOB Indonesia presented the 2024 UOB Painting of the Year (POY) (Indonesia) award to Mr Muhammad Yakin for his painting titled “The Idol of Unmoved Uncaused Cause Mover”. An artwork composed using acrylic ink, musou black ink, iridescent and gold leaf on linen, the 32-year-old artist from Bukittinggi expresses how the modern individual’s pursuit of ideals is shaped by diverse figures, ideas and ideologies.

Mr Hendra Gunawan, President Director of UOB Indonesia, said, “Congratulations to Mr Yakin for clinching the top award in the 14th UOB POY award in Indonesia. His maturation as an artist through our competition is a testament to UOB Indonesia’s commitment to nurturing creativity and fostering artistic talent as part of our dedication to art.”

“Indonesian and Southeast Asian art holds a unique place in reflecting our shared history, culture, and aspirations. UOB Indonesia is proud to support the thriving artistic communities in this region, providing a platform for emerging and established artists to tell their stories, inspire others, and contribute to a vibrant future in art. We are pleased to see the growing quality and quantity of entries being submitted to the UOB POY each year. These artists’ exceptional works have made this year’s competition a true celebration of artistic talent and innovation, and we look forward to witnessing their continued contributions through their artistic careers.”

Mr Yakin said, “My artwork emphasises the journey of finding one’s personal identity which is rarely fully authentic, as it is drawn from idealised versions of collective influences. With the constant flow of information and ideas, our identity becomes a mosaic of the people we admire, the lessons we learn, and the world around us. Through my artwork, I hope to encourage others to embrace the complexity of their own growth, that personal development is an evolving process shaped by both the people around us and the world we navigate.”

The 14th UOB POY (Indonesia) panel of judges comprise Ms Melati Suryodarmo, Chief Judge and performance artist; Dr Agung Hujatnika, independent art curator and lecturer at the Faculty of Art and Design, Bandung Institute of Technology; and Mr Heri Pemad, founder of Art Jog, Artina, and Art Bali.

Commenting on the winning artwork, Ms Suryodarmo said, “Mr Yakin combines his personal experiences with a reflection on today’s world, creating a well-balanced composition of knowledge and insight. His development as an artist is evident, having moved from winning the UOB Most Promising Artist of the Year in 2019 to now being recognised as the 2024 UOB POY winner. He also demonstrates his ability to experiment with different mediums, enhancing the complexity and richness of his art. This impressive growth, along with ability to seamlessly blend diverse references in his work, is what led the judges to select him as this year’s winner.”

As the top winner of the 14th UOB POY (Indonesia) competition, Mr Yakin will receive a cash prize of IDR250 million. His artwork will compete with the winning entries from Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam for the UOB Southeast Asian POY Award, to be announced on 13 November 2024 in Singapore. Mr Yakin also stands a chance to take part in an overseas residency programme sponsored by UOB.

Mr Hilmar Farid, Director General of Culture, Ministry of Education of the Republic of Indonesia said, “The UOB POY competition has contributed to strengthening relations between countries in the Southeast Asia region. Through this event, we see how art becomes a universal language that transcends borders, geography and culture. I would like to congratulate the winners, and all parties involved in organising UOB POY. We hope that the winning artworks can inspire us to better appreciate the beauty and richness of our culture, and encourage us to continue to innovate and work for the advancement of Indonesian art.”

Artwork with social commentary on Indonesia’s cycle of oppression wins 14th UOB Most Promising Artist of the Year (Indonesia)

Catatan Belakang
Bawana Helga Firmansyah, UOB Most Promising Artist 2024 (Indonesia)

In the Emerging Artist category, Mr Bawana Helga Firmansyah, a 21-year-old artist from West Java, won the 2024 UOB Most Promising Artist of the Year (Indonesia) award for his painting titled “Catatan Belakang (Backnote)”. The artwork intelligently raises the issue of feudalism which still remains in Indonesia's social structure. Through a collage of books laced with charcoal and pastel drawings, Mr Firmansyah re-excavates historical documentation that is often caught up in the romance of the independence revolution. This work speaks with an indirect picture of the complex relationships between colonialism, feudalism, and militarism.

UOB Indonesia will exhibit 49 finalist artworks of the 14th UOB POY (Indonesia) competition, including the eight winning pieces at the A.A. Maramis Building, Jakarta, Building A, level 2. The exhibition is open to the public daily from 17 to 27 October 2024. Opening hours from 17 to 26 October is 10am to 9pm, and 27 October 2024 from 10am to 8pm.