The response to our 2024 Science Without Borders® Challenge has been overwhelming! We’ve been blown away by the sheer number of submissions we received from aspiring young artists worldwide. Earlier this 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 Canada, India, Indonesia, Korea, Taiwan, 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, “Hidden Wonders of the Deep.” In their artwork, students portrayed a variety of deep-sea creatures, such as anglerfish, strawberry squid, basket stars, Japanese spider crabs, oarfish, and tubeworms. They also depicted mysterious deep-sea environments like whale falls and hydrothermal vents. We were amazed by these students’ 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 Mystery of Basket Stars" by Heather Choi, Age 16, United States of America
Artist's Statement: When we are asked to think of a starfish, an image of a five-armed thick and spiky figure forms in our mind. But did you know that this starfish can have dozens of arms? This mysterious and almost alien-like starfish is called the basket star, that unveils a hidden world beyond our perception. What sets the basket star part is its distinctive appearance and remarkable behavior. Unlike traditional starfish, with five arms, the basket star has a mesmerizing array of long, slender, and highly flexible arms that radiate outwards from a central disc. These arms can extend to impressive lengths spanning up to half a meter and are adorned with intricate branching patterns resembling a delicate basket weave. In addition, the basket star is also known for its ability to thrive in extreme deep environments, often found at depths of several hundred to several thousand meters below the ocean surface.
