UOB Indonesia launches 14th UOB Painting of the Year competition with multi-sensory, art-inspired culinary experience

Jakarta, 7 May 2024 – UOB Indonesia today launched the 14th edition of its flagship UOB Painting of the Year (UOB POY) competition, inviting emerging and established artists to showcase their creativity. As one of the leading financial institutions deeply committed to supporting art in the region, UOB Indonesia is dedicated to nurturing artists and recognising their contributions to the vibrant art scene.

To launch the 14th UOB POY (Indonesia) competition, UOB Indonesia introduced a culinary initiative “Palette to Plate: When Art Meets Flavour”, aimed to enhance public appreciation for art while inviting them to experience the fusion of flavour and creativity.

UOB Indonesia collaborated with Remboelan Indonesian Soul Food Restaurant (Remboelan), which drew inspiration from selected 13th UOB POY winning artworks to create unique dishes reflecting the essence and emotions conveyed through the paintings. These include:

1. Compassionate Nourishment: A Culinary Ode to Dear Mothers
   Inspired by “Dear Mothers” by Sultan Putra, Silver Award winner in the Emerging Artist Category, the flavours in this gastronomic creation aim to emulate the artwork’s themes, reflecting the intricate bond between humanity, nature and culture.
2. Mango Lens: Distorted Realities
   A fusion of culinary and artistic innovation that challenges the traditional boundaries of food and art. Inspired by the concept of space distortion in the virtual world of “7°49’03.3”S 110°21’00.2”E” by Begok Oner, UOB’s Most Promising Artist of the Year (Indonesia), this dish offers a multi-sensory exploration of human perception and distorted realities.
3. Legacy's Echo: A Culinary Tribute to Phantasma 2
   Inspired by the painting of I Gusti Agung Gede Jemana Murti’s “Phantasma 2”, Bronze Award winner in the Established Artist Category, this collaborative dish delves into the profound themes of cultural identity and preservation portrayed in the artwork’s imagery.

Mrs Maya Rizano, Head of Strategic Communications and Brand, UOB Indonesia, said, “We are pleased to launch our annual flagship competition once more for its 14th edition in Indonesia. The UOB POY competition celebrates diversity and talent, while providing both established and growing artists with a platform to showcase their works to a wider audience.

Aligned with our mission to make art accessible to all, we introduced ‘Palette to Plate: When Art Meets Flavour’ that offers a unique opportunity for individuals to engage with the artworks from 13 th UOB POY winners in an experiential and immersive manner. By bringing elements of art and food together, we aim to inspire and engage the public through a multi-sensory exploration of artistic expressions.”

“Palette to Plate: When Art Meets Flavour” will be available at participating Remboelan outlets1 from 8 May to 24 August 2024, inviting patrons and the public to savour a culinary journey inspired by art.

Programme identity design for 14th UOB Painting of the Year competition

This year's programme identity design was inspired by the 2023 UOB Southeast Asian POY winning artwork, “Chumphon Estuary” by Thai artist, Pratchaya Charernsook. The design depicts the imminent threat posed by microplastics in life-giving waterways, reflecting the artist’s intention to remind viewers of the need for conservation and sustainable practices to preserve fragile ecosystems. This is aligned with the Bank’s long-term commitment to build the future of ASEAN, supporting the sustainable development of regional communities by fostering social inclusiveness, creating positive environmental impact and pursuing economic progress in the countries it operates.

Call for entries for the 14 th UOB Painting of the Year (Indonesia) competition
The 14th UOB POY (Indonesia) competition is open to all citizens and permanent residents across Indonesia. Submissions are open from 7 May 2024 to 2 August 2024 through UOBandArt.com. The panel of judges comprise the following art experts and personalities:

1. Ms Melati Suryodarmo (Chief Judge), a seasoned performance artist with 20 years of experience with both local and international exposures;
2. Dr Agung Hujatnika, Independent Curator and Lecturer at Bandung Institute of Technology; and
3. Mr Heri Pemad, Creative Director at Sarinah Art District Jakarta and founder of Art Bali and Art Jog (Indonesia’s flagship contemporary art event).

The winners of the 14th UOB POY (Indonesia) competition will be announced at an awards ceremony on 16 October 2024. The top winner will also compete with fellow country winners from Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand and Vietnam for the coveted UOB Southeast Asia Painting of the Year award and a chance to attend a residency programme sponsored by UOB.

The winner of UOB Southeast Asian Painting of the Year award will be announced on 13 November 2024 in Singapore.

For more information on the 14th UOB POY (Indonesia) competition, please visit UOBandArt.com.