Creativity isn’t a title: 2 professionals prove you can be an artist no matter your career

If you’ve ever dabbled in art or creativity, this phrase would probably sound familiar: “Art is nice, but you should get a ‘real job’ instead.”

That’s what the parents of Yong Wee Loon, 64, told him after graduating from school. Born in Malaysia, Yong’s parents saved up to send him to boarding school in Singapore, and later to the UK for his university studies.

It was a lot of money at the time, and Yong dutifully got a job at a bank in Penang. But art never left his mind.

Yong Wee Loon, businessman turned artist

Today, Yong is better known as the 2024 UOB Southeast Asian Painting of the Year winner, the first Singaporean artist to be the regional winner in 10 years.

His piece, A Sip Through Time, wowed judges with its depiction of anachronistic elements in a nostalgic scene.

Elaborating about his work, Yong said:

“I make figurative works in realism. My compositions are often of everyday things and I am particularly interested in different textures, colours that pop out of mundane things, retro scenes and artifacts that resonate with my childhood.

I love capturing the mood and feel of days gone by, trying to capture and evoke the same feeling for the present audience.”

As a child, Yong enjoyed “splashing paint on paper” and had a familial connection to art. His grandfather, Yong Mun Sen, was an artist with his works hanging on the walls of the family home. He even had lessons with Yong Chien Chin, a renowned Malaysian ink artist.

But art wasn’t a career option, and Yong climbed the corporate ladder in the insurance industry, travelling all over the world from the UK to Hong Kong, Taiwan and finally, back to Singapore.

During this time, however, Yong would still keep a sketch book and some water colours with him, and in his free time, wander the city streets and absorb the sights, so he could recreate them later.

About 15 years ago, when he was going through a tough time, Yong turned back to his childhood love – art.

“The art helped me to refocus…the more I painted, the more I enjoyed it and I was surprised that I was actually quite competent working with acrylics and painting compositions that I have always loved.”

Walking through different cities, creating inspired pieces

In 2017, Yong won the UOB Painting of the Year Silver Award in the Emerging Artist Category for his piece Dreaming of Old Shanghai, born from the lunchtime walks he took while winding through the back alleys of the grand Chinese city.

After this initial success, Yong worked on his art during the weekends. A Sip Through Time took him two years to complete, but it was time well spent when Yong won the prize.

“I was simply blown away when I won the UOB Painting of the Year Award, Established Artist Category for Singapore. Minutes later, when I won the UOB Southeast Asian Painting of the Year Award, I simply could not believe it.

The other works submitted were amazing and I was surrounded by so many talents from Singapore and around the region. And the judges selected my work!”

Yong said it left him speechless and was proud to be the first Singaporean to win the regional award after 10 years, regarding it as a big honour.

Yoko Choi, the art therapist

Family restrictions also held back another artist, Yoko Choi, from initially pursuing a career in art.

Born in Hong Kong, Choi lived in squatter settlements with her large family of eight, staying in makeshift homes made out of wood and galvanised metal sheets. Despite the hardships, Choi’s parents instilled in her the importance of education and getting a good job.

At the young age of six, Choi vividly recalls drawing a portrait of her primary school art teacher and a still-life study of fruits. A quiet child, art became a way for her to express herself. As she grew up, Choi began to dream of becoming a professional artist with works displayed in galleries.

However, her dreams bumped up against the wishes of her father. Despite having a number of opportunities to pursue her artistic talents, Choi recalled:

“Each attempt was met with a firm refusal from my father, who held the belief that 'all artists either end up begging on the streets or only become famous after they die.'

Out of filial duty, I silenced my aspirations and set aside my dream for many years.”

Choi became a professional architect, reasoning that it was “close enough” to art while still being a stable career. While she achieved much in her years as an architect, the creative voice in her “never quietened.”

“The thought of not giving myself the chance to pursue art increasingly felt like a deep and persistent regret,” she said.

Answering a higher calling through art

In 2013, she moved to Singapore and took the opportunity to enrol in the Fine Art programme at the Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts.

Drawing on her experience volunteering with the Children’s Cancer Foundation, she pursued art therapy, viewing it as a way for individuals to express themselves and their emotions beyond just words.

Choi earned a Master’s degree in Art Therapy from LASALLE College of the Arts, and is today an art therapist in public healthcare.

A multi-disciplinary artist, Choi describes her creative process as contemplative, exploring internal rhythms and her sense of self through quiet, repetitive gestures and meditation.

“Working primarily with materials such as ink on Chinese rice paper, I build textured surfaces that mirror the ebb and flow of inner dialogue—between conscious awareness and unconscious emotions.

In this space of stillness, I become a quiet witness to my thoughts and emotions, allowing them to surface organically as my hand repeats the simplest of strokes.”

Her talent and hard work earned her the 2016 UOB Painting of the Year, Most Promising Artist of the Year award in the Emerging Artist category — a “deeply humbling” and “affirming” experience.

But perhaps the most meaningful of all reactions to her work was that of her father.

“He was the first to express interest in purchasing my artwork at my solo exhibition in Hong Kong. For someone who had once firmly opposed my pursuit of art, his gesture carried profound emotional weight.”

Choi understands that her father did what he did back then out of protection of his child after having faced hardships himself. However, it is that same spirit of perseverance that led her to pursue her artistic interests to find both success and fulfilment.

Creativity is for everyone

The experiences of both Yong and Choi serve to illustrate that anyone can be creative in their own right, no matter their profession or background.

Whether you’ve long been dabbling in art or never picked up a paintbrush before, Yong is adamant that “anyone can paint.”

“My advice to all aspiring artists, young and old, is to start painting and paint what you love. Awards aside, it is the perfect form of expression of life and what you see around you. Each stroke comes from you and your emotions. Put it on canvas.”

As for Choi, she advises aspiring artists to “stay honest” in their work, listen to their inner voice and find the time and space to nurture it.

“The art world can be fast-paced and trend-driven, but meaningful growth comes from being grounded in authenticity, curiosity, and a willingness to learn and unlearn.

Let your art take you into the unknown, allow it to challenge the boundaries, awaken the unheard and touch the intangible.

And when you have a body of work, keep an open mind – seek diverse platforms and opportunities to share your voice and connect with others.”

Submit your artwork for the 2025 UOB Painting of the Year now

If you’ve always wanted to create something like them, the 2025 UOB Painting of the Year competition is now open for submissions.

The competition is open to all established and aspiring artists, with no age restrictions. Each artist may submit a maximum of one entry. There is no theme requirement for this competition.

The submission period runs from now to Jul. 31, 2025.

The country winner will receive S$33,000 and a chance to compete for the coveted UOB Southeast Asian Painting of the Year award and an overseas art residency programme.

Other winning artists would receive cash prizes, media and social media showcases as well as other opportunities that support artistic growth and development.

Interested participants may submit their work here.

Check out the website link here for more details.

Who knows? You may find a new world of art just waiting for you.

This branded article is brought to you by UOB.

Top photos from UOB.