HELD annually, the Usaha Tegas Heritage Art Competition has inspired and encouraged budding artists to showcase their unique talent, while invoking a sense of pride and love for the nation's rich heritage in the hearts of Malaysian youth.
The event is organised by a company bearing the same namesake, which is an investment holding firm owned by prominent businessman T. Ananda Krishnan.
Into its 21st year now, the competition saw 251 artworks submitted from a total of 26 higher learning institutions. Participants were given the task of depicting Malaysia's intangible cultures premised on the overarching theme of "Malaysian Heritage".
The panel of judges was led by award-winning Juhari Said, a printmaking maestro with a career spanning more than 30 years. He was joined by Bibi Chew, an award-winning multi-disciplinary artist, as well as Ar. Parama Nathan, an experienced heritage building conservationist in Penang.
This year's panel also saw the inclusion of the National Art Gallery's senior art curator, Syahrul Niza, a committee member of the prestigious Bakat Muda Sezaman, a member of the Oita Asian Sculpture Exhibition Committee (Malaysia), as well as a committee member of the Kuala Lumpur Biennale.
Juhari commented: "The Charcoal/Pencil/Ink category proved to be the most impressive this year. We were struck by the conceptualisation of the artworks as well as the complex techniques employed to bring these creations to life."
The Charcoal/Ink/Pencil category saw Wong Kin Tong of the Malaysian Institute of Art bagging the top prize with his intricate rendering of Peranakan clay figurines.
The judges awarded two runner-up prizes for this category — to Ho Wen Hong of The One Academy Penang and Yong Hui Lin of the Malaysian Institute of Art. The category also had two third-prize winners: Ng Sin Koon and Ooi Jia Hao of ATEC Academy.
Meanwhile, ATEC Academy soared in the Mixed Media category with double-award winning student Ng Sin Koon emerging tops with her touching artwork depicting a young girl mesmerised by homemade delicacies at a local market.
Lim Shu Kee, also from ATEC Academy, scored the second spot, while Muhammad Fahmi Hisham of Universiti Malaysia Sabah bagged the third prize. Two consolation prizes were awarded in this category.
Representing this year's winners, Ng said: "I'm delighted to be one of Usaha Tegas Heritage Art Competition's winners. Thank you for providing young artists like me with an avenue to explore and express our creativity, as well as to gain a footing in the art industry, particularly during these difficult times."
Walking home with the first prize for the Oil/Acrylic category was Tan Peng Hong of Dasein Academy of Art, while Universiti Malaysia Sabah's Mohd Relmie Jimmy and Universiti Sains Malaysia's Sun Jin Xin won the second and third prizes, respectively. Two contestants were awarded with consolation prizes.
Ho Wen Hong of The One Academy Penang won the top prize in the Watercolour category, while Tan Hui Leng of Alfa International College was awarded the second prize. There was no third prize winner in this category, but there were two consolation prize winners.
The Print-Making category didn't produce any first-prize winners. The second and third prizes went to Ahmad Afiq Md Sebari of Universiti Teknologi Mara and Leow Li En of Dasein Academy of Art. This category also featured one consolation prize.
NORMAL
Adapting to the new digital norm, the 22 winners were honoured via a virtual awards ceremony. Lim Ghee Keong, Usaha Tegas Sdn Bhd's (UTSB) chief operating officer, together with UTSB directors Maureen Toh and Sivam Kandavanam, presented prize money worth RM63,500 to all the winners.
Toh said in her speech: "The past two years have been tough for all and the Malaysian arts scene wasn't spared. However, we remain committed in ensuring that we do our part to provide the young artists with an avenue to express their creativity."
Adding, she said: "With the enthusiastic, pro-active efforts of our team, including a strong digital push, coupled with the exceptional interest shown by our participants, we were able to overcome the challenges and continue to honour Malaysia's colourful and diverse heritage."