Da Nang University lecturer wins bronze at UOB Painting of Year 2025
DNO - On October 8, in Ho Chi Minh City, the organizers of the UOB Painting of the Year (UOB POY) 2025 exhibition held a showcase and awards ceremony recognizing outstanding artists.
Among 8 awards presented - 4 in the Established Artist category and 4 in the Emerging Artist category - Ngo Thanh Hung, a lecturer at the Da Nang University of Architecture, received the Bronze award in the Established Artist category for his work “Memories of the Land.”
“Memories of the Land” reflects the artist’s contemplation of the complex relationship between humans and nature in Vietnam, a country rich in cultural and historical memory.
Inspired by the arid soils of his Central Vietnamese homeland, the piece is distinguished by a surface layer of natural clay and mud that has been scraped away to reveal lacquer underneath, evoking both destruction and renewal.
Launched in 1982, the annual art competition is the longest-running in Singapore and one of the most recognised in Southeast Asia.
Currently held in Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam, the competition continues to uncover the next generation of great Southeast Asian artists, and contribute to increased awareness and appreciation of art.
Ngo Thanh Hung graduated from the Hue University of Arts and is currently pursuing doctoral studies at Mahasarakham University of Fine Arts in Thailand, while teaching at Da Nang University of Architecture.
Winning in the Established Artist category not only affirms his artistic achievements but also positions him for greater opportunities in regional Southeast Asian competitions, major domestic and international exhibitions, and future awards in visual arts.
Through “Memories of the Land,” Ngo Thanh Hung brings attention to Vietnam’s layered histories, blending traditional techniques with contemporary expression, and offering audiences a profound reflection on memory, resilience and the enduring bond between people and the land.