Global Tensions Grip Art

NAVIGATING THE CHOPPY waters of a troubled world, artists are transferring their fears and concerns onto their canvases. This year's region-wide UOB Painting of the Year competition saw a significant increase in works dealing with socio-political strife.

The top overall Southeast Asian prize went to Indonesian artist Anagard for his painting titled Welcome Perdamaian, Goodbye Kedengkian (Welcome Peace, Goodbye Hostility). The 35-year-old artist combines various traditional and contemporary symbols to conjure a hybrid human figure who is a paragon of ethnic, religious and cultural acceptance.

Anagard says: ''I wanted to share the importance of harmony, unity and peace. I was inspired by a house of prayer known as Rhema Hill (Bukit Rhema) situated in Central Java, where people of different countries meet to explore their spiritual selves.The painting draws on the unique architecture of the prayer house with a roof shaped like a head of a dove, itself a symbol of peace... I made this painting because I feel that parts of our society no longer sees tolerance as an important life value.''