MR D.I.Y. has announced the winners of its 2026 Art Competition themed “Strength & Resilience” at Muzium Negara in Kuala Lumpur on June 26, 2026.
The winning artworks challenged conventional ideas of brute strength, opting instead to focus on themes like adaptability, balance and perseverance.
Out of 900 entries from participants aged 8 to 61, a total of 31 Malaysian artists were awarded top prizes, with the top four winners across each category earn the opportunity to represent Malaysia at the regional MR D.I.Y. Art Competition in Indonesia later this year.
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.
“What stood out this year was the way artists interpreted strength with such sensitivity and depth.
“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,” said MR D.I.Y. chief executive officer Adrian Ong.
“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,” added Ong.
Award-winning Malaysian artist Ng Chit Keong won the Public Category Grand Prize of RM30,000 for his artwork “Shadow and Direction.”
Centred around a mechanical butterfly decorated with cultural and technological symbols, the artwork explores how identity is shaped by diverse influences. It symbolizes resilience not through conflict, but through the ability to remain balanced, adaptable and true to oneself during changing times.
Ng graduated from the Kuala Lumpur College of Arts (KLCA) with a Diploma in Fine Art. He is best known for his vivid, photorealistic depictions of Malaysian batik sarongs and kampong scenery.
Brenda Goh Xsue Thoong is the Student Category Grand Prize Winner taking home RM10,000 for her artwork “Our Birthday”.
Her award-winning piece reflects on a treasured family moment, exploring the enduring strength of familial bonds and lasting emotional connections. She is a Fine Art student at the Malaysian Institute of Art (MIA).
Malaysian contemporary artist Chang Yoong Chia won the Established Artists Category Grand Prize of RM40,000 with his artwork “Weight of a Feather”.
Drawing inspiration from the idea of balance, the artwork uses contrasting symbols like an eagle and a bat to represent varying perspectives and human experiences.
The artwork visualizes resilience as a journey of self-discovery, illustrating how opposing forces can eventually coexist in harmony
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.
The winning artworks are exhibited at Galeri 2, Jabatan Muzium Malaysia. The exhibition runs until July 3, 2026, and is open to the public.
Launched in 2022, the annual MR D.I.Y. Art Competition aims to nurture homegrown artistic talent and foster a vibrant, inclusive creative ecosystem in Malaysia. 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.
Winners List – MR DIY 2026 Art Competition Winners
