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Strong solidarity transposed onto canvas wins
the 2020 UOB Painting of the Year (Thailand) award

Super Strength in Unity by Mr Thongmai Thepram
110 x 180 cm, acrylic and pencil on canvas
2020 UOB Painting of the Year (Thailand) award

UOB Thailand has awarded the 2020 UOB Painting of the Year (POY) (Thailand) to Mr Thongmai Thepram for his painting titled Super Strength in Unity.    Mr Thongmai’s painting was chosen from among artworks that portrays the interpretations of this year’s theme of ‘Solidarity’ and the importance of staying united in the face of adversity.

Mr Tan Choon Hin, President and Chief Executive Officer of UOB Thailand, said the 2020 UOB POY (Thailand) competition has helped to draw out the power of unity and to showcase the resilience of the human spirit in overcoming COVID-19 related challenges.

“In bringing people together through art and fostering a sense of solidarity within the community,              we can help uplift spirits and strengthen our common purpose amid the adversity. Through our flagship art programme, we want to encourage artists to unleash their creativities through their artworks to inspire others, to continue pursuing their artistic passion and to profile them on the international stage,” Mr Tan said.

Through his acrylic and pencil on canvas painting, the 37-year-old Mr Thongmai, who is also an art professor, expressed that regardless of differences in nationality, religion or race, people have stood together in solidarity. He used various colours and forms of well-known superheros in Thailand and the world to represent the diversity and different strengths among individuals. Despite their different superpowers, fighting a deadly threat is the single common goal of all superheroes around the world.  In this painting, all superheroes are fighting to overcome the pandemic.

Mr Thongmai said, “Through Super Strength in Unity, I wanted to share the importance of solidarity and unity through action regardless of individual differences. I believe strongly that harmony should be cultivated and nurtured at a young age, thus I used superheroes who are idols of all children to convey my idea. The award is also meaningful, not only providing me with a rewarding experience as an artist but also helping my art students to build confidence in pursuing a career in art. I look forward to embarking the next phase of my journey as an artist and the opportunities that I will receive from winning the UOB Painting of the Year (Thailand) competition.”

The judging panel for the 2020 UOB POY (Thailand)comprised Emeritus Professor Parinya Tantisuk, who was named Thailand National Artist of Visual Arts (Painting) in 2018, Mr Amrit Choosuwan, honorary artist and Vice President for Arts and Culture at the Silpakorn University, and Ms Luckana Kunavichayanont, Bangkok Art and Culture Centre (BACC)’s managing committee and independent curator.

The judges found that Mr Thongmai’s artwork was distinctive, atypical, clever and daring with the use of bright colours superimposed on a stark black background to emphasise the brightness of each of the superheroes. The judging panel was also impressed by the artist’s idea of strong unity, with all the superhero characters wearing hygienic masks and displaying determination in battling the COVID-19, an invisible enemy. 

As the winner of this year’s UOB POY (Thailand) award, Mr Thongmai received a cash prize of US$25,000 (THB750,000) and his artwork will go on to compete with the UOB Painting of the Year country winners from Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore for the 2020 UOB Southeast Asian Painting of the Year award. Mr Thongmai also stands a chance to win a one-month residency programme at the Fukuoka Asian Art Museum in Japan. In addition, his artwork Super Strength in Unity will be exhibited at the UOB Art Gallery, located at the Bank’s headquarters in Singapore.

In the Emerging Artist Category, 22 year-old Mr Thanapon Dathumma won the 2020 UOB Most Promising Artist of the Year (Thailand) award. Mr Thanapon’s embroidery on velvet, titled Joyous Ordination Procession under COVID-19 Shadows, portrays the traditional Buddhist monkhood ordination procession of a young man during the pandemic. The artist’s skills in using various techniques and materials and control of colours are demonstrated through his artwork.

Joyous Ordination Procession by Mr Thanapon Dathumma
180 x 150 cm, Embroidery on velvet
2020 UOB Most Promising Artist of the Year (Thailand) award

Mr Thanapon said, “Despite the worrying situation, I can still see Thai people enjoying the moments in life and their smiles in any situation. Through my artwork, I wanted to show the resilience of Thai people in adjusting to the new normal way of life, keeping to their routine activities while maintaining safety measures to protect everyone’s well-being. This is the second time I participated in the UOB POY competition and I am thrilled to receive this award and look forward to showing my artworks to a regional audience.”

The 2020 UOB POY (Thailand) Winners’ Showcase

The winning paintings from both Established Artist and Emerging Artist categories will be exhibited at the Bangkok Art and Culture Centre, Jaras room, 3^rd floor from 27 November 2020 to 13 December 2020 for public viewing. The exhibition will then move to UOB Thailand’s Head Office on South Sathon Road from 14 December 2020 to 31 January 2021 and to UOB Thailand’s Phetkasem Building premise from 1 to 28 February 2021. All admission is free.

The 2020 UOB POY (Thailand) competition is as part of the annual UOB POY competition that aims to uncover and to nurture artistic talent across the region. UOB POY is one of Southeast Asia’s most prestigious annual art competitions open to artists in Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore and Thailand.

List of winners of the 2020 UOB  POY (Thailand) competition

30 November 2020
For More information, please contact
Strategic Communications and Brand
United Overseas Bank (Thai) Pcl.
Nida Puwanich Tel. 0-2343-4963