Newcomer artist Lim Tong Xin has won the 2026 UOB Painting of the Year (POY) Malaysia award in the Established Artist category with her deeply personal work titled *She Waited*, a tribute to her late grandmother. The 24-year-old artist from Kajang, Selangor, created the painting as a fulfillment of a promise to commemorate her grandmother, who passed away in January after battling breast cancer.
*She Waited* reflects on the final year of Lim’s grandmother’s life, capturing the gradual shift in their relationship as caregiving roles reversed. Lim described a poignant moment that inspired the painting: her grandmother sitting on the toilet, waiting for Lim’s mother to assist her with bathing. The depiction symbolizes vulnerability and the patience involved in accepting care when independence diminishes. Using symbolic imagery, textured surfaces, and muted tones, the artwork explores themes of compassion, suffering, love, and enduring human connection.
Lim, who trained at the Malaysian Institute of Art in Kuala Lumpur, cited influences from American artist Keith Haring and French street artist Dawal. She held her first solo exhibition, *Tong In The House*, in March 2024 at Zhan Art Space in Petaling Jaya. Winning the award, which comes with a RM100,000 cash prize, also earned her the opportunity to represent Malaysia in the regional UOB South-East Asian POY competition.
Datuk Ng Wei Wei, chief executive officer of UOB Malaysia, said the winning artwork exemplifies how art can transform personal experiences into universal stories. She noted that the competition continually showcases Malaysia’s exceptional artistic talent and diverse perspectives on identity, heritage, hope, and resilience.
In the Established Artist category, other notable winners included Low Kar Lai, Binti, and Kim Ng, who secured Gold, Silver, and Bronze awards respectively. The Emerging Artist category saw 47-year-old Harpreet Kaur named Most Promising Artist of the Year for her mixed-media piece *Matriarch*. Part of an ongoing series focusing on the Malaysian Sikh diaspora, *Matriarch* draws from family history and cultural heritage to explore identity, belonging, and resilience. Gold, Silver, and Bronze awards in this category went to Law Invent, Fung Yue Qian, and Nur Syamilla Mohamed Sidek, respectively.
Intan Rafiza, chief judge of the 2026 UOB POY (Malaysia) competition, highlighted the individuality and depth of thought showcased by the artists, reflecting the evolving nature of the Malaysian art scene.
The UOB Painting of the Year competition originated in Singapore in 1982 and expanded to Malaysia in 2011. It remains the country’s highest cash prize art contest. The regional award ceremony is scheduled for October 28 in Singapore, where winners from Malaysia, Indonesia, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam will compete for the Southeast Asian title and a prize of S$13,000 (approximately RM41,500). Additionally, all country winners become eligible for a UOB-sponsored artist residency program abroad.