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.
"Strawberry Squid the Peculiar Predator" by Sinbi Lee, Age 17, Republic of Korea
Artist's Statement: Strawberry squid is one of the most peculiar creatures living in the twilight zone. The photophores on their skin and their asymmetrical pair of eyes do not only look fascinating, but also help them survive in the deep sea. While they use counter illumination with the “jewels” on their skin to avoid the predators, their eccentric eyes allow them to find food—from both above and below. The larger yellow eye faces upwards to see the silhouettes of the preys, and the smaller blue eye faces downwards to detect the light coming from other bioluminescent preys. This strategy allows them to search food from both sides at the same time, and I think this truly demonstrates the uniqueness and beauty of evolution in the deep sea. This piece depicts and celebrates such beauty, encouraging more exploration about all hidden wonders of the deep.
