MR D.I.Y. Art Competition celebrates resilience through diverse creative voices

The 2026 MR D.I.Y. Art Competition has crowned its grand prize winners, with this year’s theme, “Strength & Resilience”, inspiring artists to present thoughtful interpretations of resilience rooted in identity, family, balance and perseverance rather than conventional displays of power.

Organised as part of MR D.I.Y.’s ongoing commitment to supporting local arts and culture, the nationwide competition attracted more than 900 entries from participants aged between eight and 61. Contestants travelled from across Malaysia, including Sabah, to showcase artworks reflecting the strength, diversity and resilience found within Malaysian communities.

According to MR D.I.Y., many of the winning and shortlisted works challenged traditional ideas of strength, instead highlighting adaptability, emotional endurance and personal growth as defining characteristics of resilience.

“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.”

Three grand prize winners to represent Malaysia regionally

The Public Category grand prize was awarded to Ng Chit Keong for Bayang dan Arah – Shadow and Direction, a work featuring a mechanical butterfly adorned with cultural and technological symbols. The artwork explores how resilience is expressed through adaptability and staying true to one’s identity amid changing circumstances.

In the Student Category, Brenda Goh Xsue Thoong won for Our Birthday, which reflects on childhood memories and the enduring strength of family relationships. Meanwhile, Established Artists Category winner Chang Yoong Chia received top honours for Weight of a Feather, an artwork inspired by contrasting symbols that explores harmony through differing perspectives and self-discovery.

The top four winners in each category will represent Malaysia at the regional MR D.I.Y. Art Competition in Indonesia later this year.

The 2026 competition was judged by renowned artists Bingley Sim, Liong Mei Yin, Yap Sau Bin and Ivan Gabriel, together with MR D.I.Y. Group Founder and Advisor Tan Yu Yeh and CEO Adrian Ong.

Members of the public can view the winning artworks at Galeri 2, Jabatan Muzium Malaysia, from 26 June to 26 July 2026. First launched in 2022, the competition continues to serve as a platform for nurturing homegrown artistic talent while promoting arts and culture as a means of strengthening community connections and celebrating Malaysian identity.