White Space: Unbroken Wisdom brought together 8 prize-winning works from the UOB Painting of the Year (POY) Competition (UOB Art Collection) as well as a curated selection of works by critically acclaimed artists drawn from the NAFA Collection. Spotlighting the rise of these artists in recent years, their works offer a window into history, cultural memory and lived experiences conveyed through the lens of Southeast Asian contemporary art. The 8 UOB POY Southeast Asian winners featured are Thidarat Chantachua, Seno Wahyu Sampurno, Somchai Sidamon, Jongjit Moolmat, Sukit Choosri, Hansanu Isyraf Idris, Mairul Nisa Binte Malek and Nurul Shahida Binte Ibrahim.

From the NAFA Collection, highlights included decoupage collages, ceramic and paintings by Thai artist Pannaphan Yodmanee following the completion of the UOB-NAFA Artist in Residency @ Cité internationale des arts Residency in Paris (2025). Bridging technology with heritage, digital sculptors and VR specialists Gomesh Karnchanapayap and Akkpark Youngkhun brought the metaverse game “Seeking Chimera” to life, manifesting the mythological game characters into tangible 3D form. The spirit of collaboration continues with Indonesian street artist Anagard and Singapore props maker 556 Industries, who transformed street art sensibilities into tactile 3-dimensional statements on social justice. Anchoring these explorations are poignant, deeply felt drawings on war and destruction, weighted sentiments through the eyes Singaporean artist-educator Vincent Leow.

While the world progresses and society changes, art has become a resonant expression of identity that remains unbroken as it travels across borders, mediums and generations.

In conjunction with the exhibition, an artist dialogue: Pathway of Practice, was held on 18 March 2026. The lively 2-hour session brought together 4 award winners of the UOB Painting of the Year Competitions – Om Mee Ai (Singapore), Ho Seok Kee (Singapore), Pannaphan Yodmanee (Thailand) and Yim Yen Sum (Malaysia) in a moderated conversation with Dr Bridget Tracy Tan, the competition’s Regional Judge (Southeast Asia) and Chief Judge (Singapore). Together, the exhibition and dialogue created a platform for reflection and exchange, bridging diverse artistic practices with authentic experiences across Southeast Asia.

Following the artist dialogue, participating artist Pannaphan Yodmanee conducted a workshop on materiality in the afternoon of 18 March 2026. The session was well attended by a class of Year 3 Diploma in Fine Art students, along with Year 1 Bachelor of Arts (Fine Art) and a Master of Fine Arts student. Guided by the artist, each participant created an artwork using Thai traditional materials she provided, including cement board and gold leaf.