UOB recently initiated its Artist Alumni Network with a sharing session as it launched the 2025 UOB Painting of the Year (POY) competition. The event took place on May 5, 2025, at The Artground, gathering past winners and participants to discuss their experiences and announce this year's competition, now in its 44th year.
The UOB POY, established in 1982, is recognized as Singapore's longest-running annual art competition and holds significant prestige in Southeast Asia. The newly formed Artist Alumni Network aims to enhance the profiles of artists who have won the UOB Painting of the Year competition and UOB Art in Ink Awards. Launched last November, this regional network supports artists through exhibitions at prominent platforms like Art Jakarta and Art Central in Hong Kong, commissions for artwork display or auctions, overseas residency programs, and networking opportunities within the art community.
Artists Jeremy Hiah, Jamie Teo, and Ho Seok Kee shared insights from their recent art residencies during the session. Mr. Hiah attended his residency at Fukuoka Asian Art Museum after winning the 2023 UOB POY (Singapore) Established Artist Category. Ms. Teo visited Cité internationale des arts in Paris following her win in the Emerging Artist Category Silver Award in 2018. Ms. Ho also completed her residency at Cité internationale des arts and has had her work showcased by UOB at various events.
A panel discussion followed where artists discussed how these experiences influenced their artistic practices and interactions with local art communities. The artist residency program offers exposure and inspiration by immersing artists in diverse cultures while connecting them with other resident artists.
UOB plans to continue offering three to four residencies annually to POY winners. Mr. Wee Ee Cheong, Deputy Chairman and Group CEO of UOB, emphasized that "UOB’s presence in ASEAN extends beyond business connectivity to fostering community connections." He highlighted that for over four decades, the competition has nurtured artistic talents across Southeast Asia.
Submissions for the 2025 UOB POY competition are open until July 31, 2025. Artists from Singapore, Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, and Vietnam are encouraged to participate by submitting one artwork online for either the Established or Emerging Artist Category at UOBandArt.com.
Winners from each country will compete for the prestigious UOB Southeast Asian POY award with an additional prize of S$13,000 plus an opportunity for an overseas residency program. Singapore winners will be announced on November 12, 2025; other countries will announce their winners separately before this date.