MR. D.I.Y. Holding (Thailand) Public Company Limited, Thailand’s leading home improvement and lifestyle retailer, has announced the winners of the MR. D.I.Y. Art Competition 2026 under the theme “Strength & Resilience.” The competition recognized outstanding entries in both the Public and Student categories and attracted strong participation from artists across the country. The final judging round was held on 18 June 2026 at G23 Art Gallery, Institute of Culture and Arts, Srinakharinwirot University, following an impressive number of submissions from artists nationwide.
The competition was judged by a distinguished panel of experts from the fields of art and academia, including Asst. Prof. Dr. Wichaya Mukdamanee (Vice President for Art and Culture, Silpakorn University), Assoc. Prof. Dr. Sitthidham Rohitasuke (Head of the Visual Arts Department, Srinakharinwirot University), Ajarn Supachoke Chumsai Na Ayudhya (Independent Contemporary Religious Artist), and independent curator Ms. Nim Niyomsin.
Additionally, the prestigious CEO Award was personally judged by Mr. Andy Chin, Chief Executive Officer of MR. D.I.Y. Holding (Thailand) Public Company Limited, alongside the executive team: Mr. Arnupharp Kongmalai, Vice President of Marketing, and Ms. Suparee Jayapoom, Head of Investor Relations.
Award Winners
Student Category
- First Prize: Third-Class Train (รถไฟชั้น 3) by Mr. Putthimetha Tangkanobol
- First Runner-Up: Wearing Sabai, Wearing Jeans (ห่มสไบใส่ยีนส์) by Mr. Tanitsorn Rattanarat
- Second Runner-Up: The Imprint of Love (นัยรัก) by Mr. Teerapat Promchai
Public Category
- First Prize: Traces of the Future (ร่องรอยแห่งอนาคต) by Mr. Tawich Jittiang
- First Runner-Up: Resilience Under Pressure (ความยืดหยุ่นภายใต้แรงกด) by Mr. Sawit Nojit
- Second Runner-Up: Reshaping Motherhood by Ms. Benjaphorn Satornrach
CEO Award Winners
- Student Category: Harmonized in a Changing World (กลมกลืนในโลกที่เปลี่ยนไป) by Ms. Panadda Seejandang
- Public Category: Trace Adrift (ร่องลอย) by Mr. Chisanupong Wattano
Asst. Prof. Dr. Wichaya Mukdamanee Vice President for Art and Culture, Silpakorn University, shared his observations on this year’s submissions: “While ‘Strength and Resilience’ might sound human-centric at first glance, the majority of contestants interpreted it through their surroundings, including housing, societal conditions, the environment, social class, and community strength. We saw artists looking beyond the self to explore relational dynamics: people to people, people to the environment, and people to objects. This reflects the growing development of contemporary artistic perspectives beyond traditional themes.”
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Sitthidham Rohitasuke, Head of the Department of Visual Arts, Faculty of Fine Arts, Srinakharinwirot University, shared his perspective on the different storytelling approaches seen in the Student and Public categories: “In the Public category, contestants often tell stories drawn from their own experiences. Some choose to refine or simplify certain elements, leaving only the essence of the message. Others present their stories in a less direct way, creating space for the audience to interpret and reflect, which is part of the charm of art. Meanwhile, in the Student category, even among works that may not have won awards, we can see a sense of purity and a simple, sincere way of looking at the world. Young artists tend to express what they see just as it is, and this can be very impactful. Because their ways of seeing the world are different, their ways of telling stories are also different. Yet, regardless of category or level, every contestant strives to showcase their artistic techniques and creative process in the best and most distinctive way possible.”
Ajarn Supachoke Chumsai Na Ayudhya, an independent contemporary religious artist, commented on the technical execution of the top prize winners from each category: “Regarding Traces of the Future, the first-prize winner in the Public category, the work is exceptionally contemporary. It moves away from conventional painting methods through an innovative selection of materials and highly modern visual communication. The technical methods are fascinating. I believe it showcases immense creativity and transforms this stage into a platform where we look beyond traditional formats toward evolving, contemporary art. Meanwhile, Third-Class Train, the first-prize winner in the Student category, fully aligns with the competition’s theme. The narrative is beautifully communicated through meticulous painting techniques, effectively balancing the competition theme with the artistic message being conveyed.”
Independent curator Ms. Nim Niyomsin added her perspective on the competition’s impact: “One of the things I love most about this competition is its inclusivity, welcoming young children as well as expatriates residing in Thailand. MR. D.I.Y.’s involvement provides meaningful support to Thailand’s art community, making art feel highly accessible to the public. We hope to see this project continue to grow and expand its scope to offer deeper educational resources or mentorship for artistic careers in the future. For those who didn’t make the final selection this time, I encourage you to keep submitting. Building an artistic path takes time and accumulated experience. Looking ahead, I recommend sharpening your underlying concepts to make your work stand out. We look forward to seeing an even wider variety of creative mediums in future editions, but above all, stay true to your unique voice and keep creating.”
Mr. Arnupharp Kongmalai, Vice President of Marketing Department at MR. D.I.Y. Holding (Thailand) Public Company Limited, stated: “We extend our warmest congratulations to all the winners and our sincere gratitude to the 56 finalists who submitted their works for the final round this year. This marks the second year of the competition and another meaningful milestone for the project. MR. D.I.Y. is deeply committed to nurturing sustainable creative growth within Thai society, providing a vital platform for the next generation of artists and art lovers to showcase their talents and share their inspirations with the world. The warm reception we received in this second-year underscores how deeply art resonates within the lives of Thais, and we look forward to driving further diversity across Thailand’s artistic landscape.”
The winning and shortlisted artworks will be showcased in a public exhibition at the Bangkok Art and Culture Centre (BACC) from 1-13 December 2026. In addition, the top three winners from each category will be eligible for consideration to participate in the regional-level competition in Indonesia.
The full gallery of winning works can be viewed at: https://bit.ly/WinnersArtCompetitionTH2026.
