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Investor Relations > News Room > News Release Index >
News Release - 14 Jul 2001
The 20th UOB Painting Of The Year Competition Erzan B Adam's Winning 'It's Hip 2 B Square' Gives A Fresh Perspective On Heritage Other Competition entries included several outstanding renditions with the recurring theme of identity, culture and heritage Singapore, 14 July 2001 _ The 20th UOB Painting Of The Year Competition, organised by the United Overseas Bank (UOB) Group, concluded its second decade with an overwhelming 457 entries. A large number of the entries were of a high quality with a wide range of expressions. Indeed, the judges felt that the entries received in this year's UOB Painting Of The Year Competition could well be a representation of the current visual arts scene in Singapore. An interesting theme that emerged in several works this year was one about identity, culture and heritage, demonstrating that the visual arts has become a more direct platform to express multiculturalism in contrast to language which is more culturally specific. The art pieces displayed the wonders of multiculturalism by being aesthetically convincing as well as conceptually vigorous. Clinching the top prize of S$20,000 in the Open Section of the Competition is 25-year-old Mr Erzan B Adam, a full-time artist. His winning bitumen, oil and enamel painting on a pre-primed canvas is entitled 'It's Hip 2 B Square'. Using different types of fabric to represent a variety of cultures, Mr Adam's painting weaved in the fact that it is indeed possible to achieve harmony in the midst of multiculturalism. Commented Mr Kwok Kian Chow, the Chief Judge for this year's Competition, "The richness of heritages in a multicultural environment is a great inspiration for contemporary living. The title of the winning painting suggests that it is trendy to be old-fashioned. But this state of being 'square' is by no means a formulaic conformity to traditions. Rather, it is a dynamic, vivid and inter-cultural symphony of individuality, cultural depth and multiplicity. Erzan B Adam's work manifests a fresh perspective on heritage. It convinces by the successful integration of traditional motifs, abstract forms and a strong presence of brushwork. The panel of judges was also impressed by the layering of concept, formal expression, questions and answers, and sensitivity to traditions in the painting." The judges were also extremely pleased with the outstanding originality in the entries submitted in the Junior Section for 18-year-olds and below. Sixteen-year-old Mr Yeo Zhixiong emerged as this year's 'UOB Most Promising Young Artist' with his acrylic painting 'Reminiscence'. In the words of the judges, it is a painting that is "whimsical and yet one had better pay attention to the disapproving stare of the father-looking figure. It is technically competent but it is not a usual academic painting. Rather, the painting is very personal in approach, suggesting a psychological intensity. The singular back-facing figure led one member of the judging panel to comment that while many people are doing the same thing, all it takes is for one to be different and we will have a different world. The use of colours in the work is also exemplary." For the first time in the history of the UOB Painting Of The Year Competition, an outstanding Junior Section entry stood out among the top Open Section works to receive a Certificate Of Distinction Award in the Open Section. Sixteen-year-old John Lim Chung Li's acrylic on wood piece entitled, 'Why I Sometimes Speak With An Accent', received special mention from the panel of judges. His work, comprising two wooden panels or sections with a red band, suggested sound waves traversing from one section to another. The smooth surface and clearly defined band becomes ambiguous as it reaches the far end of the left panel. This abstract work, with its suggestive title and sense of speed and movement, is thought provoking. Response To The Competition This year's Competition, which closed on Saturday, 7 July 2001, attracted a total of 457 entries from 294 participants. The detailed breakdown is as follows:
Results Of The Competition
Panel Of Judges This year's panel of judges comprises three local and two overseas judges. They are: Local Judges
The 20th UOB Painting
Of The Year Exhibition |
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