The Usaha Tegas Heritage (“UTH”) Art Competition 2024 Awards Ceremony recognised 21 young Malaysians for their exceptional interpretation and depiction of Malaysia’s rich intangible cultural heritage through art. The Awards Ceremony celebrated 25 winning artworks across five categories, namely charcoal or pencil or oil pastel or ink, mixed media, oil or acrylic, printmaking, and watercolour. The first prize winners from each category are as follows:

The art competition focuses on the theme of “Malaysian Heritage,” with an emphasis on our nation’s intangible cultural heritage in this year’s competition.

Henry Tan, Chairman of the UTH Art Competition 2024 said, “This year’s theme, Intangible Malaysian Cultural Heritage, encourages young artists to deeply explore the heart of our cultural tapestry. Through this creative journey, we hope to spark a love for our traditions, customs, and history; empowering young artists to become active stewards of Malaysia’s cultural legacy. Understanding one’s cultural identity fosters a profound connection to history and instils a sense of pride and respect for diversity. This knowledge builds bridges across cultures, promotes understanding, and challenges prejudice.”




This year's competition received a total of 353 physical entries from 33 public and private institutions across Malaysia, including Sabah and Sarawak. This growing number of submissions reflects the increasing passion for art among our young generation and the unwavering support of lecturers who recognise the Usaha Tegas Heritage Art Competition as a valuable platform for their students' future artistic endeavours.

Henry continues “We are thrilled by the remarkable improvement in this year’s submissions, both technically and conceptually. We encourage these talented artists to continue deepening their self-expression, producing works that are impactful and thought-provoking.”

Ar Parama Nathan, Chief Judge of the competition said, “We extend our sincere thanks to Usaha Tegas for providing this valuable platform for our students. This opportunity fosters collaboration and collective decision-making, skills that are crucial for future success. We hope this experience will inspire them to push their creative boundaries and make a difference.”

Ar. Parama Nathan were joined by a panel of esteemed judges - Bibi Chew, Suridah Jalaludin, and Syahrul Niza Ahmad Zaini from the National Art Gallery in selecting this year’s 25 winning artworks. Also present at the awards ceremony were representatives for several institutions, including ALFA University College, Dasein Academy of Art, Equator College, Universiti Malaysia Sabah, UITM, and National Art Gallery.





UT Heritage Art Competition is an annual art competition sponsored by UTSB Management Sdn Bhd, for emerging young Malaysian talents in schools especially those in universities and colleges. The five categories of competing artworks are charcoal/pencil/ink; oil/acrylic; mixed media; printmaking, and watercolour.

At the end of contest, winners receive cash prizes, TGV movie vouchers, a trophy and a certificate of recognition.