The colours of Southeast Asia came alive at MR D.I.Y. Plus in Mid Valley Kuala Lumpur as MR D.I.Y. officially announced the winners of its first-ever MR D.I.Y. Regional Art Competition, themed “Identity & Diversity”. The inaugural regional contest brought together talented artists from Indonesia, Malaysia and Thailand, marking an exciting milestone for MR D.I.Y.’s long-running commitment to nurturing artistic expression.
The MR D.I.Y. Regional Art Exhibition showcases a vivid tapestry of Southeast Asian storytelling, featuring artworks by national winners from all three countries, each selected to compete at the regional level. Every piece reflects personal and cultural interpretations of identity, heritage and diversity, offering visitors a window into the richness of Southeast Asian narratives. The exhibition is open to the public at MR D.I.Y. Plus in Mid Valley from 12 to 17 November 2025.
A panel of nine distinguished judges from Malaysia, Thailand and Indonesia convened on 30 October 2025 to assess the submissions. Works were evaluated based on creativity, originality and adherence to the theme. The Malaysian judges were Ivan Gabriel, Bingley Sim and Liong Mei Yin. Representing Thailand were Vichaya Mukdamanee, Subhachog Jumsai Na Ayudhya and Watjanasin Charuwattanakitti, while Indonesia’s panel comprised Ristyo Hartanto, Budhy Irawati and Haryadi Tandio.
In the Public Category, the grand prize was awarded to Mohd Al-Khuzairie from Malaysia for his evocative artwork titled “In the Mood for Love: Time and Memory”. In the Educational Category, the top honour went to Indonesia’s Diandra Lamees for her expressive piece “Upacara Imlek Versiku”.
MR D.I.Y. Group Chief Executive Officer, Adrian Ong, shared that the initiative represents more than an art competition. He noted that it is a celebration of the region’s shared identity, aimed at inspiring creativity, fostering understanding and deepening appreciation of Southeast Asia’s diverse cultures.
First launched in 2022, the MR D.I.Y. Art Competition set out to nurture Malaysia’s homegrown artistic talent and cultivate an inclusive creative ecosystem. The strong response from Malaysian participants demonstrated the potential of the platform, encouraging MR D.I.Y. to expand the initiative regionally in line with the brand’s broader growth across Southeast Asia. Through this effort, MR D.I.Y. continues to champion arts and culture as powerful connectors of community and identity.
For the full list of winners and more information on the MR D.I.Y. Regional Art Competition, visit mrdiy.com or follow MR D.I.Y. on Facebook, Instagram and TikTok.
