The painting, made from charcoal powder and rice flour, won the UOB Painting of the Year award in Vietnam.

Artist Nguyen Viet Cuong, residing in Ho Chi Minh City, won the top prize – the "Established Artist" category – at the second UOB Painting of the Year competition held in Vietnam, announced on the evening of October 2nd. The artwork will be submitted to the Southeast Asia regional competition, with the winners announced on November 13th in Singapore.

The head of the judging panel, artist Dang Xuan Hoa, commented on the winning artwork: “ The Flow is a unique work in terms of materials and expression, reflecting a new way of thinking in contemporary art while still preserving the spirit of painting. The two materials the artist chose to express themselves are black charcoal and white rice, natural materials found in everyday life, embodying the vitality, spirit, and soul of the Vietnamese people. We see that the artist has a profound perspective with a soul full of emotion. I think this is a good work in terms of form and expression, while also containing profound content, deserving of the highest award this year.”

This year, in addition to the top prize for Nguyen Viet Cuong's unique painting in terms of material, the Organizing Committee also awarded Gold, Silver, and Bronze prizes to works by artists Nguyen Van He (Thua Thien Hue province), Ngo Van Sac ( Hanoi ), and Le Viet Trung (Thua Thien Hue province).

The top prize, "Promising Artist," the remaining category of this year's awards, was given to young female painter Phan Tú Trân from Ho Chi Minh City. In this category, there were also two Gold and Silver awards given to two young painters, Nguyễn Văn Trinh (Hanoi) and Nguyễn Đức Niệm (Thừa Thiên Huế province).

The seven winning works and over 30 finalists of this year's competition will be exhibited at the Ho Chi Minh City Museum of Fine Arts from October 5 to 20.

Here are some images of the winning entries:

Gold Award, in the "Established Artist" category, for the painting " Arranging Airplanes" by artist Nguyen Van He.

Silver Award, in the "Established Artist" category, for the painting " Invasion" by artist Ngo Van Sac.

Bronze Award, in the "Established Artist" category, for the painting " The Road Home" by artist Le Viet Trung.

Artist Phan Tú Trân - winner of the Promising Artist award - stands beside her painting submitted for the competition.

Source: https://nhandan.vn/tranh-duoc-lam-tu-bot-than-va-bot-gao-thang-giai-uob-painting-or-the-year-tai-viet-nam-post834534.html