Event poster
United Overseas Bank (China) Limited (UOB China) has officially launched the UOB Ink Art Awards 2024 (the "Grand Prize"). The application period is from April 30 to July 10, 2024. This year's award is an upgraded version of last year's "School Ink Art Award", which adds a category of emerging artists and breaks the restrictions on media in terms of entry rules, in order to stimulate more creative sparks and discover diverse ink art talents.
Exhibition view of the finalists of the 2023 UOB Annual School Ink Art Awards, UOB, 2023
As a staunch staunch of Asian art, UOB has been promoting ink art in Chinese mainland, Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan. In 2023, UOB China launched the inaugural UOB Annual School Ink Art Awards to provide a platform for a new generation of artistic talents to showcase their talents, exchange ideas and stimulate innovation, and promote the inheritance and innovation of ink art among young artists.
Exhibition view of the finalists of the 2023 UOB Annual School Ink Art Awards, UOB, 2023
Ms Yeung Sze Meng, Chief Executive Officer, Greater China and Head of Group Communications & Brand Strategic Management, UOB, said, "2024 marks the 40th anniversary of UOB China. On the journey of working with the community, we have been working hard to bring ink art to life in a variety of media, and to support a new generation of artists to lead the spirit of ink to a broader future. On this special occasion, we are delighted to launch the new UOB Ink Art of the Year Awards, which will further expand the definition of 'ink and wash' while inheriting the 'spirit of ink' and providing a wider creative stage for the participants." We look forward to witnessing and supporting the breakthrough and growth of young artists in this traditional art field through this award. ”
Exhibition view of the finalists of the 2023 UOB Annual School Ink Art Awards, UOB, 2023
In 2024, the Grand Prize will be launched simultaneously in Chinese mainland and Hong Kong. The newly created Emerging Artists category in Chinese mainland is open to young artists aged 35 and below, and the participating artists will be recommended by the jury. The second edition of the award will not be limited to the medium of the work, and at the same time increase the selection dimension, especially the innovative artistic expression based on traditional culture, as well as the relevance of the work in the contemporary context, so as to select young artistic talents who can better inherit the past and the present, and inject new energy into Chinese art. UOB China has also further enriched the benefits of the winners (see Award Setting below for details). In the second year, FutureLab will provide advice and support in the preparation of the competition, the recruitment of works, the judging and the display of the award-winning works.
Exhibition view of the finalists of the 2023 UOB Annual School Ink Art Awards, UOB, 2023
In addition, the works of the 15 winners of the first competition have also been exhibited all over the country, showcasing the creations of young artists and the unique charm of ink art.
The UOB China Board of Directors, the UOB Annual School Ink Art Award judges, the guest of honour and the founder of FutureLab, Zhou Tiehai, pose for a group photo with the winners
Awards
The UOB Ink Art of the Year Awards 2024 will be presented in two categories: Campus and Emerging Artist. The Campus category includes Gold, Silver and Bronze Awards, as well as the UOB Most Promising Artistic Talent Award. In the Emerging Artist category, the high-profile UOB Emerging Artist of the Year award will be selected from among the shortlisted entries.
6Mr. Cheung Chi Hong (left), Museum Manager, Curator, Artist, Professor and Doctoral Supervisor and Mr Wong Yat Chung, Deputy Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of UOB and Chairman of UOB China (right) are the winners of the Best School Ink Art of the Year Award, Yuan Linxin
The finalists of the Campus and Emerging Artist categories will be exhibited at FutureLab and UOB Art Gallery in Lujiazui, Shanghai 2024, and have the opportunity to exhibit at UOB's affiliated galleries or partner institutions in Chinese mainland, Hong Kong and Southeast Asia to further expand their artistic influence. UOB Emerging Artist of the Year winners will receive an exclusive invitation from the organisers to present a solo exhibition showcasing their artistic achievements and unique perspectives.
Ms Grace Cheung, Executive Director and Head of Brand Management and Corporate Social Responsibility, Group Communications & Brand Strategy Management, UOB (centre) and Ms Karen Li, Head of Strategic Communications, Brand Management and Customer Insights, UOB Hong Kong and Taiwan (5th from right)
In addition to the prize money and exhibition opportunities, the winners will also enjoy a series of follow-up development opportunities, such as the inclusion of their winning works as cover art for the UOB China Annual Report, participation in artist in residence programmes, artist commissions, and networking opportunities with art experts, curators, art critics and gallerists.
Exhibition view of the 2023 UOB Annual School Ink Art Award Winning Works, UOB, 2024
The lineup of judges
The judging panel of the competition is composed of professionals in the fields of art creation, academic research, art criticism, and arts management. The lineup is as follows:
•Mr. Zhang Zikang, museum manager, curator, artist, professor and doctoral supervisor
•Mr. Chen Tong, teacher, artist, publisher and critic
• Artist Mr. Qiu Anxiong
•Ms. Wu Wei, publisher, critic and curator
• Mr. Lawrence Heplin, founder of ShanghART Gallery
The jury will evaluate the entries and portfolios submitted by each participant in a comprehensive manner, following the following criteria: originality, innovation, aesthetic expression, especially innovative artistic expression based on traditional culture, and relevance of the work in a contemporary context.
Exhibition view of the 2023 UOB Annual School Ink Art Award Winning Works, UOB, 2024
Conditions of Participation
• Campus Group:
o Hold a People's Republic of China resident ID card and be a student in a domestic or overseas tertiary institution (including graduation in 2024);
o International students (including those graduating in 2024) who hold a valid student certificate from a tertiary institution certified by the General Office of the Ministry of Education of the People's Republic of China.
•Emerging Artist Group:
Nominated by the members of the jury, it is open to artists under the age of 35 who hold a People's Republic of China resident identity card.
•Unlimited media: Accept works on the shelf, three-dimensional works and mixed media works.
Exhibition view of the 2023 UOB Annual School Ink Art Award Winning Works, UOB, 2024
Registration and submission of works
The UOB Ink Art of the Year Awards 2024 are open to all eligible entrants. All entrants must register and submit their works for free through the UOB and Art WeChat Mini Program before July 10 (inclusive).