Artists shift focus away from conflict to showcase the power of balance, family and identity
KUALA LUMPUR, 29 June 2026 – MR D.I.Y. has announced the grand prize winners of its 2026 Art Competition, with the year’s theme, “Strength & Resilience”. In a surprising twist, many of the winning and shortlisted artworks challenged conventional notions of strength. Instead of focusing on brute force and grand displays of power, artists interpreted strength through adaptability, balance, and perseverance.
These were among the key insights that emerged from the winning artworks, reflecting how Malaysians navigate personal and societal challenges while staying grounded and connected.
The nationwide competition, organised as part of MR D.I.Y.’s commitment to supporting local arts and culture, provides a platform for artists of all ages to express their creativity and share stories from their own perspectives. This year’s theme invited participants to reflect on the strength, diversity and resilience found within Malaysian communities.
“What stood out this year was the way artists interpreted strength with such sensitivity and depth,” said Adrian Ong, Chief Executive Officer of MR D.I.Y. “The winning works remind us that resilience is not always loud or dramatic. Sometimes, it is found in balance, in family, in identity, and in the quiet determination to keep moving forward. Through this competition, we are proud to continue supporting Malaysian artists and giving them a platform to tell stories that reflect who we are as a community.”
The grand prize winners of the MR D.I.Y. 2026 Art Competition are:
Public Category Grand Prize Winner
Artist: Ng Chit Keong
Artwork: Bayang dan Arah – Shadow and Direction
Centred around a mechanical butterfly adorned with cultural and technological symbols, the artwork explores how identity is shaped by diverse influences. It reflects resilience not through conflict, but through the ability to remain balanced, adaptable and true to oneself amid changing circumstances.
Student Category Grand Prize Winner
Artist: Brenda Goh Xsue Thoong
Artwork: Our Birthday
Our Birthday reflects on a treasured family moment through the artist’s memories of childhood. The artwork explores resilience through the enduring strength of family relationships, highlighting how meaningful moments and emotional connections continue to remain with us as time passes.
Established Artists Category Grand Prize Winner
Artist: Chang Yoong Chia
Artwork: Weight of a Feather
Drawing inspiration from the idea of balance, the artwork features contrasting symbols such as an eagle and a bat to represent different perspectives and experiences. The piece reflects resilience as a journey of self-discovery, showing how opposing forces can coexist and eventually find harmony.
This year’s competition attracted more than 900 entries from participants aged 8 to 61, with contestants travelling from across the country, including as far as Sabah, to take part. The top four winners in each category will earn the opportunity to represent Malaysia at the regional MR D.I.Y. Art Competition in Indonesia later this year.
The judging panel for the 2026 edition comprised renowned artists Bingley Sim, Liong Mei Yin, Yap Sau Bin, and Ivan Gabriel, alongside MR D.I.Y. Group’s Founder and Advisor, Tan Yu Yeh, and CEO Adrian Ong.
Members of the public are invited to view the winning artworks at Galeri 2, Jabatan Muzium Malaysia, from 26 June to 3 July 2026.
Launched in 2022, the MR D.I.Y. Art Competition aims to nurture homegrown artistic talent and foster a vibrant, inclusive creative ecosystem in Malaysia. As a brand present in communities across the country, MR D.I.Y. sees the arts as a meaningful way to celebrate everyday stories, strengthen community connection and support local creative expression.
Through this platform, MR D.I.Y. and Yayasan MR D.I.Y. continue to champion arts and culture as powerful drivers of community, identity and social connection.
