Get ready to be inspired! The Khaled bin Sultan Living Oceans Foundation is delighted to reveal the finalists of the 2023 Science Without Borders® Challenge. This year’s theme is “The Sixth Extinction,” and we challenged young artists from around the world to create a piece of artwork that highlights the beauty and importance of a marine species that are on the brink of extinction. We are thrilled with the entries that we received!
Over 1,200 entries flooded in from 67 different countries, and let us tell you, it was no easy feat to choose the finalists. But after much deliberation, our judges have selected finalists whose exceptional artwork surpassed all expectations in terms of creativity, originality, and adherence to the theme.
The submissions were simply breathtaking, and we can’t wait for you to see them. So, without further ado, here are the finalists for Ages 11-14 of the 2023 Science Without Borders® Challenge. These talented artists will leave you in awe with their remarkable creations that bring attention to the urgency of preserving our treasured marine species.
"The Sixth Extinctions” by Umme Aiman, Age 14, India
ARTIST'S STATEMENT: Whale sharks and beluga whales are both currently facing the threat of extinction due to human activities, which is a part of the larger issue of the Sixth Extinction. In my artwork I try to convey the beauty of these creatures. As both are fascinating and beautiful creatures, despite being endangered. Whale Sharks have a unique spotted pattern on their skin, which is a combination of light spots on a dark background. Beluga Whales have a distinctive white coloration, which makes them easily recognizable and strikingly beautiful in the Arctic waters they inhabit. The human hands conveys a message of protection and care for these endangered species. Overall, through my artwork, I try to showcase the beauty of these incredible creatures and help to raise awareness of the need for conservation efforts to protect them from the threat of the Sixth Extinction.
