Get ready to be inspired! The Khaled bin Sultan Living Oceans Foundation is delighted to reveal the finalists of the 2024 Science Without Borders® Challenge. This year’s theme is “Hidden Wonders of the Deep,” and we challenged young artists from around the world to create a piece of artwork that highlights the beauty and importance of deep-sea creatures or ecosystems. We received over 1,700 entries from 82 different countries, making the selection process challenging yet rewarding.
Each submission, from intricate illustrations of mysterious deep-sea creatures to captivating depictions of unique deep-sea ecosystems, contributed a unique perspective to understanding the ocean’s mysteries. After careful deliberation, our judges have chosen finalists whose exceptional artwork exceeded expectations in creativity, originality, and adherence to the theme.
The submissions were breathtaking, and we’re eager for you to see them. Without further ado, here are the finalists for Ages 11-14 of the 2024 Science Without Borders® Challenge. Prepare to be amazed by their artwork, which showcases deep-sea creatures and ecosystems, emphasizing the urgent need to preserve the deep sea.
"Descent Into Undiscovered Beauty" by Esther Wan, Age 14, United States of America
Artist's Statement: In my acrylic painting, a girl seemingly descends into the depths of the ocean, surrounded by a myriad of deep-sea creatures ranging from mesopelagic to hadalpelagic zone swimming up to her. While the dark and foreboding reputation of the deep sea is well-known as hauntingly dark, cold, and full of mysterious creatures, my portrayal challenges this perception .I aim to convey the idea that beneath the surface lies a realm of unexpected beauty and a unique allure of the many fascinating lifeforms.
