KUALA LUMPUR: Inspired by UCSI University (UCSI) Creative Art Competition themed ‘Love, Hope and Peace’, Lim Ai Rin and her team of fellow schoolmates from SMK (P) Pudu Kuala Lumpur painted a poignant mural of a world divided, one at peace and the other at war, and a young boy’s emotional response depending on which side of the canvas he is on. 

According to the grand prize winner, their artwork is a reminder that every action has consequences and of the suffering faced by children during times of war. 

“We need to realise that there is a need for us to be a better person. We need to practice being kind to each other and remember that every course of action we take, can lead to bigger consequences,” she said. Her team were among the five finalists to paint powerful messages of love, hope and peace at UCSI’s Creative Art Competition finale held at Sunway Velocity Mall. 

Organised by UCSI’s De Institute of Creative Arts and Design (ICAD), the Competition saw students from over 20 secondary schools around Klang Valley submit their drawings in hopes of winning cash prizes and scholarships from the University worth up to RM94,500.

The event was attended by Prof Dato’ Dr Ahmad Hj Zainuddin, UCSI’s Deputy Vice-Chancellor of Academic Affairs and International and Director of ICAD; Willie Tan Moh Leong, UCSI’s Vice-President of Student Enrolment Centre; and representatives from the sponsors Sunway Velocity Mall and Nippon Paint. 

According to Prof Ahmad, on top of encouraging young Malaysian students to express their artistic excellence this school holiday, the Competition is also a platform to spread the notion that art can function as an expansion of knowledge. 

“When people consider their options for a tertiary education, they usually think about becoming an engineer, doctor or a lawyer. But what most people are unaware of, is that art can be in the position to innovate things. The daily applications we use on our gadgets, multimedia products and the things we see in our environment — those are products of art too. 

“We want to raise the awareness that art is never just about drawing; it is an integration of various areas of knowledge from history to social to the environment,” he said. 

The Competition is part of the University’s three-day UCSI Community Showcase event which featured fruit crafting, aquascaping and mocktail mixology workshops, among others.