15 May 2025
MyTIGER Values Art Competition and Exhibition 2025
Exhibition showcases artworks by 28 students nationwide, highlighting Group’s TIGER values and tiger conservation efforts through creative visual expressions
Celebrating creativity – Tan Sri Dato' Sri Ir. Zamzamzairani Mohd Isa, Chairman of Maybank & Maybank Foundation (Center) together with members Maybank’s Board of Directors & Senior Management and panel of juries sharing a light moment with the 28 winners of the MyTIGER Values Art Competition and Exhibition 2025.
Maybank Foundation, the social impact arm of Maybank Group recently launched its 8th MyTIGER Values Art Competition and Exhibition (MTVACE) 2025 at Balai Seni Maybank, honouring the creativity and advocacy of 28 young Malaysian artists who successfully expressed the power of social impact through the lens of art and design.
Aligned with Maybank’s mission of humanising financial services, the initiative provided a creative avenue for students to interpret the Group’s TIGER values (Teamwork, Integrity, Growth, Excellence & Efficiency and Relationship Building) into visuals through compelling and thought-provoking artworks, at the same time raising awareness on the importance of tiger conservation efforts and addressing the 12 selected United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
The competition attracted 2,355 submissions from students from 300 schools and learning institutions nationwide across primary, secondary and tertiary institutions including public schools, private institutions, international schools and students registered under the Ministry of Education’s Integrated Special Education Program (PPKI).
This year’s competition which ran from 6 March to 18 April 2025 culminated winners across five categories – Primary School, Secondary School, and University (subdivided into Photo Imaging, Illustration, and Sequential Art). At the launch exhibition, winners were presented with First, Second, Third and Jury Special Prizes sharing a total of RM51,500 in cash awards.
Muhammad Harith Zafran from Universiti Teknologi MARA Puncak Alam, the First Prize winner in the University (Photo Imaging) category, shares the inspiration behind his winning piece ‘Reborn’ to Tan Sri Dato' Sri Ir. Zamzamzairani Mohd Isa, Chairman of Maybank & Maybank Foundation (in bright batik) and Izlyn Ramli, Head Group Corporate Affairs Maybank & CEO of Maybank Foundation (in white). The artist highlighted that the artwork was inspired by Maybank’s TIGER value of Growth and the Quranic verse from Surah An-Nur (24:45), which reflects the divine origin and diversity of life.
The launch of the MTVACE 2025 saw the attendance of Tan Sri Dato' Sri Ir. Zamzamzairani Mohd Isa, Chairman of Maybank and Maybank Foundation, Shahril Azuar Jimin, Group Chief Sustainability Officer, Izlyn Ramli, Head Group Corporate Affairs Maybank and CEO Maybank Foundation and members of Maybank’s Board of Directors.
In his opening remarks, Tan Sri Dato Sri Ir. Zamzamzairani emphasised the bank’s commitment to nurturing holistic development, “At Maybank, we believe that values and creativity go hand in hand in shaping responsible, future-ready citizens. The MyTIGER Values Art Competition has grown into a platform that not only celebrates artistic expression, but also nurtures social awareness and community engagement among the youth, providing them the opportunity to step forward to tell their story of hope, perseverance and optimism of the majestic tiger.”
Tan Sri Dato' Sri Ir. Zamzamzairani Mohd Isa, Chairman of Maybank & Maybank Foundation (center, in bright batik) and Izlyn Ramli, Head Group Corporate Affairs Maybank & CEO of Maybank Foundation (in white) admiring the winning piece called ‘Think Out of The Room for Growth’ by Taryn Lung Sze Hui from the Malaysian Institute of Art (MIA), the First Prize winner in the University (Illustration) category. The artist explains that the artwork reflects Maybank’s TIGER values and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through the artist’s whimsical portrayal of nature’s beauty and significance.
Izlyn Ramli, Head Group Corporate Affairs and CEO Maybank Foundation said, “Art has the ability to bridge values with emotion and context. Through this programme, we provide young creatives with a voice to advocate for a better world – one that is aligned with the principles of sustainability, inclusivity, and empowerment. The works showcased here demonstrate the potential of our next generation to lead with empathy, creativity, and conviction.”
At the exhibition, visitors will get to experience unique artworks which focuses on photo imaging, illustration and sequential art that are deeply innovative and expresses artists’ abilities to convey powerful narratives that evoke emotions. In keeping with the conservation theme, visitors will also have the chance to make donations at the exhibition in support of tiger preservation efforts in collaboration with WWF-Malaysia.
The University Category’s Sequential Art First Prize Winner, Lim Xin Jie, 19, from International Medical University (IMU), expressed gratitude for the opportunity, “This competition encouraged me to dig deeper into what values really mean in today’s world. Representing complex ideas like climate action and integrity through sequential art was a challenge, but it has strengthened my purpose as a visual storyteller.”
The Primary School First Prize Winner, Teng Ziyu, 8, shared his excitement, “I drew about how teamwork can help save the environment. Even though I’m still young, I believe small actions can make a big difference. I’m happy my drawing can be part of something so important like protecting tigers and our planet.
Teng Ziyu from Stonyhurst International School, Penang, the First Prize winner in the Primary School category, explains the inspiration behind his drawing “One Team, One Tiger” that highlights a mechanical armour for a tiger symbolising resilience and strength. Listening attentively to the young artist are Tan Sri Dato' Sri Ir. Zamzamzairani Mohd Isa, Chairman of Maybank & Maybank Foundation (in bright batik), Shahril Azuar Jimin, Group Chief Sustainability Officer (in red batik) and Fauziah Hisham, member of the Maybank Board of Directors (in light grey).
The MyTIGER Values Art Competition and Exhibition is part of the Balai Seni Art Series, Maybank Foundation’s long-standing arts and culture initiative. The programme continues to champion creativity with purpose, reaching wider communities through education, empowerment, and sustainability narratives. The artistic works of over 840 artists were displayed in more than 36 exhibitions since 1988 have inspired and encouraged new artists to pursue their dreams. Ever since, Balai Seni Maybank has played a more inclusive and energetic role in catalysing and enabling the art, culture and heritage scene in Malaysia and the region.
‘Motion as Metaphor Endangered’ by Chua Bing Yao from Dasein Academy of Art, the Third Prize Winner of the University (Illustration) category - A powerful tiger against a glowing gold leaf background, symbolising excellence and ambition. The bold brushstrokes and flowing colours reflect teamwork, with each element working together to bring the tiger to life. The artwork expresses the bold, authentic, growth and connection through its symbolism and visual style.
The exhibition is open to public from 14 May to 13 June 2025 between 10.00am–5.00pm (Monday–Friday) with no bookings or ticket purchases required. The exhibition is closed on weekends and public holidays.
