In this year's installment of the Nando's Art Initiative, the competition has seen a whopping 964 submissions from artists across Malaysia in just a few months from the initial launch that announced this year's theme. The theme was "Your Art, Your Story" which was set as such to invoke the participants' creativity – which clearly worked because the competition is the toughest this year, as related by one of the judges.

"The competition's standards continue to rise each year, and this year, it is without a doubt the most challenging and inspiring we ever had," says Mac Chung Lynn, Group CEO of Nando's Chickenland. "It was not an easy task. Having to judge all these wonderful art pieces which were created with passion and creative skills left us feeling overwhelmed and yet very excited."

Staged at the wide and creative expanse of Publika, the top 78 pieces are displayed for public viewing. Various contestants milled around the exhibition, faces tense with anticipation on the day of announcing the winners. It's very promising to note that most of the contestants are art college students and a few who are struggling artists.

This art initiative gives a great stepping stone for these talented souls, who are unable to afford space rentals in galleries. The winners, from the first to the consolation prizes are each awarded with monetary cash prizes starting at RM5,000 for grand prize and RM500 worth of Nando's vouchers. Some of the past winners since the initial competition in 2008 have since gone on to become prominent artists in the Malaysian art scene.

Without further ado, the winners are:
FINE ART CATEGORY - Hug Yin Wan
DIGITAL ART CATEGORY - Tan Yong Lin
GRAFFITI/STREET ART CATEGORY - Mohd Zulfadli bin Ahmad Nawawi

Congrats to all, not forgetting the runner up and consolation prize winners too! The exhibition will continue on in the 2nd & 3rd floor of Lot 123, Jalan Sultan – Nando's very own art space that sits above a Nando's restaurant on the first and ground floor.