Winners of the 2023 Science Without Borders® Challenge
The 2023 Science Without Borders® Challenge invited young artists from around the world to raise awareness about endangered marine species with the theme, “The Sixth Extinction.” This theme challenged students to reflect on the alarming rate at which marine species are disappearing—many due to human activities such as overfishing, pollution, climate change, and habitat destruction.
With over 1,200 entries from 67 countries, the competition showcased an extraordinary level of talent and environmental consciousness. Students aged 11-19 submitted artwork that not only celebrated the beauty of endangered species but also highlighted the critical threats they face. Their detailed imagery and emotional depth brought to life the struggles of species like the vaquita, hawksbill sea turtle, and many other marine species teetering on the brink of extinction.
The winning pieces captivated us with more than just their artistic brilliance—they delivered powerful messages about the fragile balance of marine ecosystems and humanity’s role in their preservation. These artworks are more than visual masterpieces; they are urgent calls to action, reminding us that the future of our oceans depends on the choices we make today. We are honored to showcase the 2023 Challenge winners, whose art inspires hope and a renewed commitment to protecting marine biodiversity.
Winners & Finalists Ages 11-14:
"The Guardian" by Kavitha Varatharajan, Age 14, Australia
ARTIST'S STATEMENT: Hawaiian Monk Seals are a greatly respected animal in Hawaiian culture due to their title as ‘guardians over human souls after death' and also their role as guardians of the Hawaiian ecosystem's balance. They are apex predators and thus keep many other sea creature populations under control. The squid and the tuna fish resting on and next to the seal show how reliant the ecosystem is on its guardian. The seal blends into the sand and background so that the fish and squid can stand out. Like how the seal protects the ecosystem from devastation and disarray. The seal brings life and peace to its ecosystem, which, though we can't see it, is being slowly destroyed by the extinction of the Hawaiian Monk Seal. We need the Hawaiian ecosystem's guardian to continue to protect its fragile balance and ensure the survival of many other species.
Winners & Finalists Ages 15-19:
First Place (15-19): "We Are Next" by Boram Shim, Age 16, United States of America
ARTIST’S STATEMENT: Humans would be the ones getting extinct at the end of the sixth extinction. I portrayed the extinct animals, an endangered dolphin, and a person lining up in a film tape as a warning that it will eventually be our turn to be extinct, like a scene in a filmstrip that would inevitably be played in chronological order. Unlike the five previous mass extinctions that occurred due to environmental pressures, “the sixth extinction” is driven by human activities like oil spills, ocean trash, and net entanglements. Vaquita is on the verge of extinction—only ten left—due to illegal fishing and entanglement in gillnets. Moreover, less than 10,000 Kemp’s Ridley Turtles are left due to pollution, overfishing, and humans’ use of artificial light. Furthermore, only 1570 Hawaiian Monk Seals are left due to net entanglements. Finally, tombstones symbolize the deaths of humans following the destruction of marine ecosystems.
