Food mimics art at launch of UOB Painting of the Year

UOB on May 3 launched the 43rd edition of its Painting of the Year competition, on the occasion also debuting six "edible art" menus by Pan Pacific Hotels Group chefs inspired by previous winners' works.

- Clement Yong

The colourful high tea sets were part of the bank's efforts to broaden opportunities for winners of its flagship prize, the longest running in Singapore. It counts among previous winners Cultural Medallion recipients Goh Beng Kwan who won the first edition in 1982 as well as Anthony Poon and Chua Ek Kay.

The 87-year-old Goh was present at the event held at The Southern Depot in arts precinct Gillman Barracks, where Ms Christine Ip, head of UOB's group strategic communications and brand, also announced the formation of an alumni association for winners.

The competition is held in Singapore, Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand and Vietnam before the winners of each country are pitted against one another for the coveted UOB South-east Asian Painting of the Year.