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.
"Lying In the Sea's Stomach" by Yeseung Lee, Age 13, Canada
Artist's Statement: The light illuminating from the submarine, onto the creatures represents the wonders we have discovered in the endless depths of the sea. What lies in the shark's stomach? What will we be able to discover at the end, if there even is an end? Is there anything left to be discovered beyond the shark? I chose a goblin shark because I found it fascinating how they can open there jaws so far. Plus they have existed since the dinosaurs, which shows how long the deep sea has been able to house these creatures, which leaves me to wonder what other curiosities has the sea birthed? I made the creatures and submarine very vibrant in contrast to the sea surrounding them. We understand reds, blues, and yellows, but what hues lie in black?
