Hasanul's artwork 'Durio', the 2024 UOB Painting of the Year winner, provides a exploration of the intricate relationship between nature and human experience. Photo: Bernama
Contemporary artist Hasanul Isyraf Idris has long intertwined the natural world with his art, frequently incorporating creatures like crabs, moths, butterflies, and birds into his work.
His fascination with nature runs deep, not merely as decorative elements but as symbols that reflect the intricate relationships between life, death and the environment.
Through these motifs, Hasanul, based in Penang, invites viewers to contemplate the delicate balance and fragility of ecosystems, often drawing attention to the unseen connections between the natural world and human experience.
His recent art piece Durio earned the 46-year old artist the 2024 UOB Painting of the Year (UOB POY) award recently.
The inspiration for Hasanul's gouache painting stems from his four-year journey documenting the biodiversity surrounding his retreat studio in the district of Selama, in northern Perak, his home state.
"The artwork features a series of intricate drawings that expresses the life cycle of the durian tree, scientifically known as Durio, from flowering to fruit maturation. The detailed depictions also illustrate the vital role of stingless bees in pollination, and how pollen is a source of nutrient for bees," says Hasanul.
As the winner of the 2024 UOB POY (Malaysia) competition, Hasanul received RM100,000 and will represent Malaysia in the 2024 UOB South-East Asian POY award, competing against winners from Indonesia, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam.
The award ceremony will take place on Nov 13 in Singapore, where the winner will receive a S$13,000 (approximately RM43,000) cash prize and a chance to attend a UOB-sponsored overseas art residency.
Last year, Hasanul won the gold prize in the 2023 UOB POY (Malaysia) award in the Established Artist Category for his nature-inspired painting, How to Disappear Under the Brightest Star.
He now joins notable past UOB POY main winners like Chong Kim Chiew, Saiful Razman, and Sabri Idrus, who have gained international recognition since their wins.
“This year’s winning piece Durio beautifully illustrates that despite our differences, we are united in our connection to nature and we must preserve this delicate balance for future generations," said Ng Wei Wei, chief executive officer of UOB Malaysia.
Awards in the Established category ranged from RM22,000 to RM45,000, with Hug Yin Wan winning Gold, followed by Muhamad Amsyar Ramly (Silver) and Mairul Nisa Malek (Bronze). Nurul Shahida Ibrahim won the Most Promising Artist in the Emerging Artist category for her piece Baruh, which portrayed life's harsh realities beneath a serene rural landscape. Other Emerging Artist winners included Ahmad Muhamad Mohamed Kamal (Gold), Lee Yaw Chu (Silver), and Aer Loo Xin Theng (Bronze), with prizes ranging from RM6,000 to RM11,000.
The winning artworks from the Established and Emerging Artist categories of the 2024 UOB POY (Malaysia) competition will be exhibited at The Linc in Kuala Lumpur from Oct 29 to Nov 4.
