MR. D.I.Y. Empowers Thai Artists on the Regional Stage as 2 Creators Secure Judge's Award, Unlocking New Opportunities 50 Artworks to Be Exhibited at BACC This December
BANGKOK - 4 November 2026 - MR. D.I.Y., Thailand's leading home improvement and lifestyle retailer, continues to empower Thai artists and create opportunities on the regional stage through the MR. D.I.Y. Regional Art Competition 2026, hosted in Indonesia. Two Thai artists won Judge's Awards, emerging from a competition built upon national contests in Thailand, Malaysia, and Indonesia that drew over 2,500 total entries. This achievement underscores the exceptional talent and creativity of Thai artists gaining regional recognition. MR. D.I.Y. is also preparing to host an exhibition of 50 artworks at the Bangkok Art and Culture Centre (BACC) from 1 to 13 December, providing a public space to experience the art and support the Thai art community.
MR. D.I.Y. Regional Art Competition 2026 was held for its second consecutive year, hosted by MR. D.I.Y. Indonesia. The regional competition built upon national-level contests in Indonesia, Malaysia, and Thailand, which drew a total of 2,500 entries nationwide. The top 1-3 winning artworks from both the General Public and Educational Institution categories6 entries per country, totaling 18 artworksadvanced to the regional final round. Contestants competed for three main awards in each category: the Grand Prize, Judge's Award, and President Director's Award, evaluated by a panel of distinguished art experts from all three countries. For MR. D.I.Y. Thailand, the MR. D.I.Y. Art Competition 2026 was organized to select and support the 6 national award-winning pieces as they represented the country on the regional stage.
Mr. Tawit Jittieng, National Winner and Regional Judge's Award Recipient in the General Public Category, shared the inspiration behind his artwork "Traces of the Future": "This was my first time entering an art competition, and I am deeply honored to receive this award. I wanted to convey the idea that true strength is not about resisting change, but learning to coexist with it, told through the story of a fish-human family migrating to survive in a future world. I also incorporated upcycled plastic trash bags into the artwork to symbolize adaptability and creating value from existing materials." The judging panel praised his unique integration of recycled materials and artistic symbolism, which added depth in communicating contemporary social and environmental issues.
Mr. Phuttimetha Tangkanobol, National Winner and Regional Judge's Award Recipient in the Educational Institution Category, shared the inspiration behind his artwork "Third-Class Train": "This work was inspired by border tensions and my personal experience sitting across from conscripted soldiers traveling to Bangkok, combined with my interest in the lives of the younger generation entering the workforce. I wanted to portray another side of soldiersone that reflects both resilience and vulnerability under social pressure." The judging panel noted that the artwork deeply conveys the paradox between official duty and inner human emotions through the depiction of a calm yet visibly weary soldier.
Mr. Arnupharp Kongmalai, Vice President of Marketing at MR. D.I.Y. Holding (Thailand) Public Company Limited, stated: "We are deeply proud to play a role in giving Thai artists the opportunity to showcase their talents on a regional stage, and even more delighted that both Thai artists received awards in this competition. This success reflects the remarkable potential and creativity of Thai artists that are gaining international recognition.
At MR. D.I.Y., we want our art competition to be more than just a contestit should be a platform for Thai artists to present their work and gain wider recognition, especially emerging artists who may not yet have a space to showcase their art. Therefore, this year we are preparing to host an exhibition of 50 artworks at the Bangkok Art and Culture Centre (BACC) in December, allowing the public to experience and connect with the creations of Thai artists.
Over the past 10 years, MR. D.I.Y. has grown alongside the Thai community. We are committed to being part of supporting and creating meaningful opportunities for society, and we hope this initiative inspires Thai artists to continue developing their work and moving forward into the future."
MR. D.I.Y. Thailand continues its ongoing commitment to empowering Thai artists by hosting the MR. D.I.Y. Art Competition 2026 Exhibition. The showcase offers the public an opportunity to admire 50 contemporary paintingscomprising regional and national winners alongside top finalistseach expressing distinct perspectives and stories under the theme "Strength & Resilience." The exhibition will take place from 1 to 13 December 2026 on the 4th and 5th floors of the Bangkok Art and Culture Centre (BACC), with an official award ceremony held on 1 December 2026. MR. D.I.Y. invites art enthusiasts and the general public to experience the artworks and the creative inspirations behind these Thai artists, while showing support as they continue to refine their craft and pursue new future opportunities.