The Usaha Tegas Heritage (UTH) Art Competition 2024 Awards Ceremony, held on 12 November, honoured 21 young Malaysian artists for their outstanding portrayal of Malaysia’s rich intangible cultural heritage through art. The event celebrated 25 winning pieces across five categories: charcoal, pencil, oil pastel, or ink; mixed media; oil or acrylic; printmaking; and water colour.
The first prize winners from each category are as follows:-
• Ivy Thor (from Equator College) for her winning artwork entitled “Pulau Betong’s Fish Craft” under Charcoal /
Ink / Pencil Category
• Goh Jia Yu (from Tunku Abdul Rahman University of Management and Technology) for her artwork entitled
“Nyonya Reminiscences” for the Watercolor Category
• Wong Sze Yoong (from Universiti Malaya) for his winning entry titled “Life in the Neighborhood” in the
Oil/Acrylic Category
• Wan Nor Shafikah (from Universiti Malaysia Sabah) for her winning submission “Perkahwinan Campur: Restu
“MINUIDO”” in the Mixed Media Category
• Ching Min Ly (from Dasein Academy of Art) for her piece entitled “Sacred Illumination” under Printmaking
Category
The art competition focuses on the theme of “Malaysian Heritage,” with an emphasis on our nation’s intangible cultural heritage in this year’s competition.
Henry Tan, Chairman of the UTH Art Competition 2024 said, “This year’s theme, Intangible Malaysian Cultural Heritage, encourages young artists to deeply explore the heart of our cultural tapestry. Through this creative journey, we hope to spark a love for our traditions, customs, and history—empowering young artists to become active stewards of Malaysia’s cultural legacy. Understanding one’s cultural identity fosters a profound connection to history and instills a sense of pride and respect for diversity. This knowledge builds bridges across cultures, promotes understanding, and challenges prejudice.”
This year’s competition garnered 353 physical entries from 33 public and private institutions throughout Malaysia, including Sabah and Sarawak. The rising number of submissions highlights the growing enthusiasm for art among the younger generation and the steadfast support of lecturers who view the Usaha Tegas Heritage Art Competition as an important platform for their students’ future artistic careers.
Henry continues “We are thrilled by the remarkable improvement in this year’s submissions, both technically and conceptually. We encourage these talented artists to continue deepening their self-expression, producing works that are impactful and thought-provoking.”
Ar Parama Nathan, Chief Judge of the competition said, “We extend our sincere thanks to Usaha Tegas for providing this valuable platform for our students. This opportunity fosters collaboration and collective decision making, skills that are crucial for future success. We hope this experience will inspire them to push their creative boundaries and make a difference.”
Ar. Parama Nathan was joined by a distinguished panel of judges—Bibi Chew, Suridah Jalaludin, and Syahrul Niza Ahmad Zaini from the National Art Gallery—to select the 25 winning artworks for this year’s competition. The awards ceremony was also attended by representatives from various institutions, including ALFA University College, Dasein Academy of Art, Equator College, Universiti Malaysia Sabah, UITM, and the National Art Gallery.
The UT Heritage Art Competition is an annual event sponsored by UTSB Management Sdn Bhd, aimed at nurturing emerging young Malaysian talents, particularly those from universities and colleges. The competition features five categories: charcoal/pencil/ink, oil/acrylic, mixed media, printmaking, and watercolour. Winners are awarded cash prizes, TGV movie vouchers, a trophy, and a certificate of recognition.
Follow us on Instagram, Facebook or Telegram for more updates and breaking news.
