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Artwork exploring the universal language of human expression wins the 16th UOB Painting of the Year (Indonesia)
Artwork exploring the universal language of human expression wins the 16th UOB Painting of the Year (Indonesia)
“Urban Realism Layers” by Mr Begok Oner, Winner of the 16th UOB Painting of the Year (Indonesia), Established Artist Category
Jakarta, 24 September 2026 – UOB Indonesia presented the 16th UOB Painting of the Year (POY) (Indonesia) award in the Established Artist Category to Mr Begok Oner for his artwork titled “Urban Realism Layers”. Building on his earlier recognition as the 2023 Most Promising Artist of the Year in the Emerging Artist Category, Mr Oner’s achievement reflects his continued artistic development and highlights how the competition recognises and supports artists across different stages of their creative journeys.
The winning work brings together layers of images, words and traces that evoke the surfaces of public spaces, where different voices and stories accumulate over time. Using cement plaster and layered textures, the 28-year-old artist creates a sense of relief across the surface, while the composition brings together multiple elements that reflect contemporary life. He connects this contemporary visual language with prehistoric cave paintings, from the famous caves of Lascaux in France to ancient rock art sites in South Sulawesi, highlighting the enduring human desire to communicate and connect.
Mr Oner said, “When I think about the marks left by people thousands of years ago, I see something that is still very familiar today. We continue to find ways to express what we experience, what we believe and who we are. Through my work, I hope to remind people that while the ways we communicate may change, our need to express ourselves, share what we experience and connect with others remains.”
The 16th UOB POY (Indonesia) competition was judged by a distinguished panel comprising 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.
Ms Melati Suryodarmo, Chief Judge 16th UOB POY (Indonesia) competition a, said, “Mr Oner’s work shows a maturity in the way he develops an idea from his own visual world into something that speaks to a much broader human experience. He takes something familiar and makes us see it differently, connecting contemporary expression with a history that reaches back thousands of years. Mr Oner has developed a distinctive artistic voice, one that allows history and the present to encounter each other in a subtle yet powerful way.”
As the top winner of the 16th UOB POY (Indonesia) competition, Mr Oner will receive a cash prize of IDR250 million. His artwork will compete with winning entries from Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam for the UOB Southeast Asian POY award, which will be announced in Singapore on 28 October 2026. He will also be eligible to compete for an overseas residency programme sponsored by UOB.
Artwork exploring meaning in the unseen wins the 16th UOB Most Promising Artist of the Year (Indonesia)
“Liminal Fragment 03” by Mr Alif Lamra, 16 h UOB Most Promising Artist of the Year (Indonesia)
In the Emerging Artist Category, Mr Alif Lamra, a 29-year-old artist from Yogyakarta, was named the 16th UOB Most Promising Artist of the Year (Indonesia) for his artwork titled “Liminal Fragment 03”.
The monochromatic work presents fragments of sea, sky, light and shadow, creating a landscape that feels familiar yet uncertain. Through the artwork, Mr Lamra explores how people perceive and understand the spaces around them. The fragmented landscape encourages viewers to look more closely at what they recognise and consider how much of what they see is shaped by their own perceptions.
Mr Lamra’s practice explores objects and spaces in transition, where the familiar gradually becomes uncertain and open to interpretation.
Celebrating Indonesia’s artistic talent
Mr Hendra Gunawan, President Director, UOB Indonesiasaid, “Art has a unique ability to connect people across generations, cultures and perspectives. As part of our long-standing commitment to the arts, we are pleased to celebrate the 16th UOB Painting of the Year and provide a platform for artists to develop their practice and connect with wider audiences. We congratulate Mr Begok Oner, Mr Alif Lamra and all winners of this year’s competition, whose works reflect the depth and diversity of Indonesia’s artistic talent and the important role art plays in how we see and understand the world.”
Ms Irene Umar, Vice Minister of Creative Economy of the Republic of Indonesia, said, “We welcome UOB Indonesia’s continued support for the development of Indonesia’s creative economy, particularly the arts. Collaboration between the government and private sector is important in creating greater opportunities for artists, nurturing local talent and promoting Indonesia’s creative works to regional and global audiences. We look forward to strengthening this collaboration to further advance Indonesia’s arts ecosystem and elevate the profile of Indonesian artists on the global stage.”
UOB Indonesia will exhibit the 48 finalist artworks from the 16th UOB POY (Indonesia) competition, including the eight winning pieces, at the Melting Pot on the Ground Floor of ASHTA District 8 in Jakarta. The exhibition is open to the public daily from 24 September to 07 October 2026, from 10am to 10pm.
The UOB POY exhibition will also be featured as part of Oktober Kreasi, a month-long national campaign in October by the Ministry of Creative Economy celebrating Indonesia’s creative economy and its diverse creative sectors.
As part of its long-term commitment to nurturing artistic talent, UOB continues to support artists beyond the competition through regional exhibitions, overseas artist residencies and the UOB Artist Alumni Network. These initiatives provide artists with opportunities to broaden their networks, reach new audiences and continue their artistic development.
The UOB POY competition started in Singapore in 1982 and expanded to Indonesia in 2011. Today, it is the longest-running art competition in Singapore and one of the most recognised in Southeast Asia. Through the competition, UOB continues to champion artistic talent, strengthen the region's arts ecosystem and provide artists with opportunities for recognition, development and regional exposure.
