Continuing previous years’ success, UOB Painting of the Year (POY) Indonesia has come to the 13th year of journey, in which a grand prize was awarded to Ni Nyoman Sani for her painting named “Tranquility”. It’s an abstract painting made from acrylic gesso, glue, and marble powder. The 48-year-old native Bali artist, Sani was inspired by the local wisdom and way of life that represents the relationship between humans, culture, and nature. She studies nature along with its characteristics. She believes that life is like coral reef debris that washes up on beaches and later forms unique patterns over a long period of time. It’s a natural cycle for humans, such space and time will shape a human’s body and soul. Sani said, “Through this painting, I hope it can be a reminder for us, that everything that happens in nature can have an impact on humans.”
The judge panelists of UOB Indonesia POY 2023 are Melati Suryodarmo (head of the judges and a performing artist), Dr Agung Hujatnika (independent art curator and lecturer at the ITB Faculty of Fine Arts and Design), and Heri Pemad (Creative Director of Sarinah Art District Jakarta, also Art Jog founder).
Sani is entitled to receive a prize value of IDR 250 million. Her painting is eligible to represent Indonesia and compete with other winners from Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam in the UOB Southeast Asian POY Award, whose winners will be announced on 8 November 2023 in Singapore. Sani also has the opportunity to participate in a one-month residency program at the Fukuoka Asian Art Museum in Japan.
The UOB Indonesia exhibits all 46 finalists’ paintings that participated in the 13th UOB POY Indonesia competition, including the 8 winners’ paintings at the Autograph Tower Jakarta, on Level 77. The exhibition is open daily for the public from 10 AM to 5 PM until 5 November 2023.
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