The response to our Science Without Borders® Challenge has been overwhelming! We’ve been blown away by the sheer number of submissions that we received from aspiring young scientists and artists all over the world. Last week, we proudly unveiled the finalists in the 11-14 age group, and now, we’re ecstatic to announce the finalists in the 15-19 year-old category.
These young artists hail from all corners of the globe, including China, Indonesia, Korea, the Philippines, Poland, Singapore, Spain, the United Kingdom, and the United States. You will be amazed at their incredible artwork and how well they captured the essence of the theme, “The Sixth Extinction.” Students depicted a diverse range of endangered marine animals in their artwork including whales, fish, polar bears, sharks, sea otters, horseshoe crabs, seals, and crocodiles. We were amazed by these students’ boundless creativity, execution of the theme, and artistic abilities.
Without further ado, please meet our talented 15-19 year old finalists! These exceptional artists have not only showcased their incredible talents but also their unwavering passion for marine conservation.
"The Way Back" by Teresa Hyoju Chang, Age 16, Republic of Korea
ARTIST’S STATEMENT: Blue whales, the gentle giants of the sea, are creatures that enliven the ocean’s breath while flaunting their mottled blue hues. As historical carbon cleaners of the ocean, the animals have been around since 50 million years ago, only to be distressed by the industrialization of humanity. Even after the intervention of the International Whaling Commission in 1946, the unrestrained hunting of the mammals in the early 1900s and constant vessel strikes and entanglements in fishing gear have resulted in the severe decrease of the recovering population. The flowerbeds under the creature's shadow serve as a reflection of the Blue Whales' recolonizing population. Juxtaposing the empty fields, the calendulas represent a glimpse of hope for the survival of the majestic animals, stressing their recovery from the brink of extinction through its representation of grief, remembering, and joy.
