Container terminals wins 2023 UOB Ink Art of the Year Award

UOB has announced the successful registration of UOB Art Academy (the Academy) as its inaugural charity in Hong Kong. With the motto ‘Art to Heart; Ink for All’, the Academy connects communities and touches hearts through art. It also strives to make Chinese ink art, a longstanding artistic heritage, accessible to the public.

Director of UOB Art Academy Limited, Christine Ip, who is also CEO, Greater China and Head of Group Strategic Communications and Brand, UOB, said: “Upholding the belief that art holds the power to transcend boundaries and spark conversations, we want to promote a more inclusive and compassionate society. Our new charity status allows us to leverage the collective strengths of our stakeholders to make a broader positive impact. We invite ecosystem partners, including corporates, artists, art educators, philanthropists and art enthusiasts from all walks of life to join us in this mission.”

The Academy seeks to enrich lives and strengthen communities through its diverse range of programmes and initiatives. The following key areas underpin the organisation’s vision:

1. Fostering artistic heritage: Through curated art programmes, the Academy preserves and fosters the rich tradition of Chinese ink art, which holds timeless beauty and profound cultural significance.

1. Providing accessible art education: Through the Art in Ink workshops, the Academy provides learning platforms and resources to make Chinese ink art education accessible to both teachers and students of all skill levels.

1. Empowering artistic talents: The Academy supports artistic talents and helps them achieve their full potential. It offers programmes like the UOB Art in Ink Awards, We+1 Mentorship and Internship Programme and Artist for A Day, providing platforms for young talents to explore and pursue their artistic aspirations.

1. Facilitating Greater China-ASEAN cultural connectivity: Through long-standing art programmes like the UOB Painting of the Year competition, UOB contributes to the development of the art scene in ASEAN.

1. Art for social impact: The Academy aims to address important societal issues through art therapy and strives to create a more compassionate and equitable world through art.

1. Inspiring community engagement: The Academy collaborates with local institutions, organisations and art communities to develop community programmes like the Art in Ink Festival.

Mr Li Chik Keung wins 2023 UOB Ink Art of the Year Award

In conjunction with the incorporation of the UOB Academy as a charitable organisation, the 2023 UOB Art in Ink Awards Presentation Ceremony was held on the same day to recognise twenty artistic talents for their outstanding performance in ink art creation.

Mr Li Chik Keung’s Container Terminals won the 2023 UOB Ink Art of the Year Award and Gold in the Open Category – Landscape or Figurative. This captivating piece utilises monochrome tones and intersecting vertical and horizontal lines to create an interplay of density and sparsity. The artwork beautifully showcases the vibrant dynamism and order that characterise a bustling scene at a container terminal. 

Container Terminals, Mr Li Chik Keung
2023 UOB Ink Art of the Year Award and
Gold Award, Landscape or Figurative, Open Category

Breakthrough, Ms Victoria Lin
2023 Most Promising Artist of the Year Award and
Gold Award, Landscape or Figurative, Senior Student Category

Ms Victoria Lin’s Breakthrough won the 2023 Most Promising Artist of the Year award and Gold in the Senior Student Category – Landscape or Figurative. This remarkable achievement marks Lin’s third win of the Most Promising Artist of the Year Award. She previously won the award in 2019 with her artwork Fish Tank and in 2022 with Let It Go. Breakthrough symbolises the determination to overcome obstacles while pursing one’s dreams.

2023 UOB Art in Ink Awards Winners’ Showcase

The 2023 UOB Art in Ink Awards Winners’ Showcase will be held at the Palace Academy, Hong Kong Palace Museum from 16 to 31 December 2023 (excluding 19 December). This exhibition is a significant component of the second edition of Art in Ink Festival, co-organised by UOB Art Academy and the Hong Kong Palace Museum. Apart from the exhibition, there will also be various activities including ink art workshops, immersive animated ink screenings, an interactive ink experience zone, art talks and artist studio visits. The Festival is open to the public.

Date: 16-31 December 2023 (excluding 19 December 2023)

Venue: Palace Academy, Hong Kong Palace Museum, 8 Museum Drive, West Kowloon Cultural District

Website: www.artininkfestival.com.hk