Student works in UOB Painting of the Year competition raise social issues including overattachment to devices

Hwa Chong Institution student Yang Yiduo earned a finalist spot in the UOB Painting of the Year competition with a painting that addresses the challenges faced by migrant workers in Singapore. The 16-year-old's piece, Between the Rebars of Our City, features a migrant worker standing against a backdrop of steel rebars, symbolizing the precarious nature of their work.

Inspired by the short story Rich Man Country and his school's Project Integrate, Yiduo aimed to evoke a sense of insignificance and intimidation among viewers. Meanwhile, Nanyang Girls' High School student Lorraine Wong's work Disconnected, which showcases disconnected devices and sleeping dogs, was created to prompt reflection on the negative impact of technology on social connections.

The painting competition, which began in 1982, is one of the longest-running art competitions in Singapore and the region, with UOB selecting 23 works for display, including the two finalists.