The works of forty-one talented Malaysian artists were recognised at the MR DIY Art Competition 2025 prize-giving ceremony held at KEN Gallery, Menara KEN TTDI, Kuala Lumpur on May 23, 2025.
Two thought-provoking artworks exploring memory, culture and resilience were crowned the Grand Prize winners of the 4th MR DIY Art Competition 2025, reflecting the competition’s theme, “Identity and Diversity”.
The winning masterpieces – one using old photographs and mixed media to explore heritage and cultural preservation, and the other chronicling a personal and national journey through the Covid-19 pandemic – stood out among more than 1,000 entries submitted by artists nationwide.
Now in its fourth year, the annual art competition is organised by home improvement retailer MR DIY Group (M) Berhad in partnership with its philanthropic arm, Yayasan MR DIY, with the aim to nurture homegrown artistic talent and foster a vibrant, inclusive creative ecosystem in Malaysia.
More than RM200,000 in cash prizes were awarded, including RM30,000 and RM10,000 for the Grand Prize winners in the Public and Education categories, respectively.
Mohd Al-Khuzairie Ali, 41, won the public category grand prize of RM30,000 cash for his artwork titled “In the Mood for Love: Time and Memory“.
Using mixed media and vintage photographs, Al-Khuzairie explored the intersections of time, memory and identity. The piece celebrates Malaysia’s rich cultural fabric while calling attention to the importance of heritage in an ever-changing world. Judges praised the work for its emotional depth, textured layers and strong visual storytelling.
Meanwhile, in the Education Institution category, Nasrin Nadhirah Suhaidi, 21, a student from Universiti Teknologi MARA Seri Iskandar, Perak, won the grand prize of RM10,000 cash for her powerful piece titled “Harapan”.
Her artwork captures her personal experience of loss during the pandemic, including the passing of her mother, while honouring the collective strength and resilience of Malaysians. Judges described the painting as “profoundly moving and quietly hopeful.”
Both the grand prize winners will be joined at the regional finals by the winners of the CEO Award and Founder’s Choice Award.
MR DIY group chief executive officer Adrian Ong said: “The MR DIY Art Competition celebrates the power of art to spark thought, connect communities and inspire change. This year’s theme, ‘Identity and Diversity,’ encouraged artists to reflect on personal and collective identities in today’s global society.
“We hope their work inspires Malaysians to embrace our differences, appreciate our shared stories, and view the world with greater empathy.”
“Through this initiative, MR DIY is proud to support local talent by offering a meaningful platform for artists to share their ideas, stories and creativity.”
Ong said this year marks the first time the MR DIY Art Competition is expanding regionally. The national winners announced will now represent Malaysia at the regional level of the competition, offering them a broader platform and international exposure.
“We are thrilled to take this next step, giving our artists a bigger stage to shine and be celebrated across the region,” said Ong. “The opportunities this presents for artists across Asia are tremendous, and are one of the ways in which we add value to the communities we operate in,” he added.
The judging panel for the 2025 edition included renowned artists Bingley Sim, Liong Mei Yin, Yap Sau Bin and Ivan Gabriel, alongside MR DIY Group’s founder and advisor Tan Yu Yeh and Adrian Ong.
The public is invited to view the winning artworks at KEN Gallery, Menara KEN TTDI, from May 23 to 28, 2025.
For more information, visit the website at mrdiy.com, and social media channels Facebook, Instagram and TikTok.
