Global / English
Winning Works from the 15th Contest (2024)
Thoughts and Wishes in the Paintings
Kao Kirei Grand Prize:
Urban Wetland
Jinatta Banjongpisan (8)
Preserving important forests and wetlands in the urban will help the ecosystem remain intact and act as a source of fresh air.
“I strongly felt from the beautifully depicted work that clear water is the source of life and that the future must be like this.” —40s
“It was a wonderful work that showed how animals live comfortably in a cool environment. It made me visit the place in this painting.” —60s
“It was very beautiful! The use of colors was wonderful." —30s
"There were a lot of fish, and I wanted to protect the living creatures.” —other
Kao Special Prize:
Tree of life
Arsen Lashchuk (10)
In my painting I want to show how reach is our nature. People can’t live without it. We get inspired by the song of the nightingale. We compose melodies, write books and poetry. Beauty of the nature is magic and powerful. We should love and value our nature, our planet. It is unique.
This painting clearly expresses how nature enriches our lives. It is wonderful that the artist expresses that not only food, clothing, and shelter, but also arts such as music are enriched by the voice of nature. It is truly worthy of the Environment Painting Contest.
Kao Special Prize:
The forest blessing ceremony
Funsiri Noratad (14)
The forest blessing ceremony raises awareness of the importance of the forest, as the forest provides home and food for many animals. If we are mindful and protect the environment, we won't be disturbed by animals in our agricultural areas. Moreover, we can live happily together.
Each animal species is different in size, but it is impressive that they are depicted as almost the same size in the connection of the earth's precious resources. This work powerfully conveys the message that we have something important for life to coexist.
“The animals are very real and looks wonderful !” —20s
“It was colorful, tasteful, and surprising to know that it was painted by a child.” —30s
Kao Special Prize:
The revived butterfly
Hayato Niino (9)
Plants and forests are disappearing as the environment is worsening, so I’m worried the Gifu butterfly might go extinct. I hope we can restore the environment and have more butterflies.
It’s depicted with a painful concern for the decline of endangered the Gifu butterfly. Main subject is drawn impressively and attractively, also when we look at it closer, a variety of ingenious uses of paint and brushwork reveals and the artist's sincere wish for the revival of this butterfly is very well conveyed.
“Through this work, I have learned the number of Gifu butterfly is decreasing. I believe that the child who painted this work has the power to convey messages through painting. Please continue to paint.” —40s
Kao Special Prize:
Let’s fly around the fields together
Hideki Takino (7)
I drew a cheerful bee flying around a beautiful meadow filled with nature. I want to cherish our natural world where people, animals, bugs, trees, and flowers can have fun and fly around together.
When considering a sustainable global environment, there are too many things that can be understood only through the eyes of animals other than humans. Just children have such eyes, and this painting, in which the world is viewed through the eyes of bees, is the work that adult could not have created.
“I like the use of colors !” —50s
Kao Special Prize:
Natural Colors
Izabella Marusiak (6)
Nature has beautiful colors and it is full of various kinds of wildlife. Because we work together to conserve nature.
This painting expresses not what the artist drew, but how she felt. She tried to depict the environment around her as it is, and as a result, diverse natural worlds were revealed. The work gives us an opportunity and power to think about what is necessary to maintain such a diverse society.
“I was attracted to the beautiful colors. I want to display it in my home.” —50s
“It was a very nice painting. It expressed the beauty of nature and made me feel peaceful.” —40s
“The use of colors is wonderful! I want to preserve nature!” —40s
Kao Special Prize:
The End of the Desert: Machines and Nature
Liu, TianLang (10)
This painting depicts a scene in which a robot leopard is chasing a rabbit. I imagined that the Earth would be very dry in the future and many wild animals will go extinct. I hope this painting inspires people to focus on protecting the environment.
Amazing painting! A sci-fi scenery portraying possibly Earth after Catastrophe, represented by landscape and bionic animals; perhaps this is how the sustainable future will look if we are not taking action right now. Instead of depicting a beautiful scene, this work critiques our perspective on sustainable living.
“Rich in ideas.” —40s
Kao Special Prize:
Taking Care of a Bamboo Forest in Mu Cang Chai, Yen Bai Province
Nguyen Lan Anh (14)
Bamboo is extremely resilient against climate change as it can absorb up to three times as much carbon gas as other trees do. Bamboo forests reduce carbon emissions and bring economic gain. So let's take care of the bamboo forests in our town more proactively.
The painting is a powerful representation of the bamboo forest - a symbol of resilience. The activities around and within the forest - Seeding, Breeding, and Cultivating - require the participation of the whole community and invite engagement from all members across generations. This is the strong message that is relevant to us all. Not only in the countryside, but also in the big cities, everywhere on earth.
“The green tones are refreshing. I hope that the bamboo forest loved by everyone will remain for a long time.” —60s
“I like the color that makes the bamboo feel lively.” —40s
“The bamboo forest depicted was powerful and wonderful.” —50s
Kao Special Prize:
We are one family
Olexandra Serhiivna Palii (12)
There are many families in the world. There are families of animals, birds, insects, and people. But if we take care of the environment, we will become one family. And the world will become harmonious and beautiful.
Families of elephants, birds, dragonflies, and snails, creatures we all know well, are vividly depicted. The painting conveys very well the desire and kindness to protect the environment together with us humans.
“This work with the elephant that the Ukrainian child painted, touched so much. I almost cried.” —40s
“It was very cute and eye-catching. It was wonderful!” —30s
“The painting made me sincerely want to unite the world and face all kinds of challenges like a family. Thank you for the wonderful painting.” —40s
Jury's Special Prize:
Chair of Juries Fumikazu Masuda Selected
ORANG UTAN
Dyov Akbar Ikranagara (14)
Orangutans on the island of Kalimantan are joyous because people have given up on the plan to cut down the trees in their forests. The areas where they live, and the forests are now going to be safe.
The forests in Kalimantan were originally the land of orangutans. Humans should not destroy the forest. This painting clearly conveys the artist's desire to take good care of the forest in order to be friends with orangutans.
“The painting of the orangutan forest in Indonesia looked cheerful. I could feel relief that the forest was not cut down.” —40s
“I was impressed by the sensibility and expressiveness. The wonderful expressions conveyed the worldview that the forest watches over everyone and orangutans are parents and friends who nurture their children.” —40s
“I was impressed. It showed well the sensitivity that only a child can paint.I am especially concerned about the crisis situation of orangutans, so I was happy to know that there is a child in Indonesia who has painted a world where orangutans can coexist with humans.” —40s
Jury's Special Prize:
Jury Sumiko Okubo Selected
THE FOREST
Micaela Berton (12)
Message of hope and prayers for the future, there is a premonition of a new beginning.
The painting has such a generous and gentle child’s gaze. The artist vividly captures the casual moments of living creatures coexisting in nature, and we can hear the joyful poetry of nature. The sun, sky, clouds, and dragonflies are well balanced, and the depiction of the dragonfly's wings is especially exquisite.
Jury's Special Prize:
Jury Kei Matsushita Selected
Saving Animal’s Homes
Sia Cheng Wu (7)
Monkeys and owls are losing their homes because people are cutting down trees. Now, they are cold because the wind blows on them. We need to stop cutting trees so the animals can stay warm and safe.
The forest like the narrative with the owl at the center is depicted from a critical perspective. Elements with individual meanings, such as clouds, trees, wind, and leaves, are combined like a collage, and as the result of the fusion, it seems that we can read a story finding hope for the future.
Jury's Special Prize:
Jury Yoko Oyamada Selected
Connecting to the future through reading books
Hiyori Nishimura (9)
I drew some plants and animals that I had grown to love while reading books. Through research, I learned that many plants and animals are in danger due to environmental destruction. I want to protect the plants and animals by reading more books and learning how to protect them.
I was very impressed by the process of how the artist started learning and thinking about the environment steadily from the animals and plants encountered in the book. This painting teaches us the importance of thinking about nature and the environment from various perspectives.
“I was surprised by the idea that reading leads to the SDGs. I want to eliminate environmental destruction.” —40s
“I liked the owl's face.” —10s
Jury's Special Prize:
Jury Andreas Schneider Selected
The Power of Seedlings
Phakwaran Kaewkhao (15)
Small seedlings become one by human hands, becoming a powerful force. Just like a big tree that provides shade and spreads its branches, bringing blessings to living things and the environment.
The painting uses a simple graphic technique to illustrate the role of countless people in sowing - the source of all living things. Holding the young saplings in both hands, close to the heart, is a powerful representation of people's devotion to the perpetual cycle of life. This is a call we can only heed.
“The work is well composed and the greenery is beautiful.” —60s
“It's well composed in detail and it's a fun work to look at up close and from afar!” —20s
Jury's Special Prize:
Jury Leonhard Bartolomeus Selected
Starting from a small point expanding to sustainability
Kannapat Kanjanapan (14)
This work wants to convey the message of helping each other create the environment from a small point and grow it into a great nature. From starting with planting trees until expanding into a large, sustainable forest.
From a top perspective, we can see a band of humans and animals doing activities in the middle of a forest. The human is trying to plant a small tree with the hope of making it grow and creating a better environment. The scene gives the feeling that we are looking down into a better life where all the species are working together to create a better life.
“I was strongly attracted by the color and light of this painting, and the color made me think deeply about the message and the meaning of the painting. I felt like my heart was closer to greenery and nature, thank you.” —20s
“It was a colorful painting from a child's unique point of view, wonderful.” —10s
Jury's Special Prize:
Jury Ayami Tamura Selected
A Pleasant View in the City
Kara Lee (9)
My family and I are watching small fish and ducks swimming along happily and slowly. The joy of living comes from such moments!
There is no complicated message in this painting and the simplicity is good, as it is enjoyable to watch creatures living freely. Humans seem to be enjoying themselves with ice cream and juice in their hands. We can receive the message that a future in which both living creatures and humans can live freely is ideal.
Jury's Special Prize:
Jury Atsushi Tanaka Selected
A possible change
See Liang Yi Laney (10)
I got inspiration from a banner. It was the first thing that popped into my mind when I saw the banner. I wish that we can change the way we’re living, to a world where the nature is preserved well.
Water, a resource, is squeezed out of the hands of children holding each other's hands and the hands of action to take care of the earth. The message that an abundant environment is provided from this process is expressed in an understandable way and reaches to the viewer’s hearts.
“It was a wonderful painting and made me energetic.” —10s
Jury's Special Prize:
Jury Naoto Katahira Selected
Boarding the Ship of Hope
Chen Yu He (9)
We must try hard to protect the environment of only one Earth together. We will load everything into a small boat with hope, make an effort holding the oars of time in our hands, and take small steps for moving toward the vision of coexistence with the environment and Mother Nature.
A bright future cannot be reached immediately but requires everyone to work together. The idea of expressing the message that the accumulation of time and effort is important with a ship of hope and oars imitating the hands of a clock is very unique.
“I had the impression that the children were getting on the boat and moving forward to the light, as if they were overcoming environmental problems.” —10s
CEO Special Prize:
Heading into the future
Mei Otake (14)
I believe it is important to create a sustainable environment so that all living things can live and prosper well into the future. That is why I drew some animals moving toward the future from a world full of nature.
Diverse animals, plants and other elements are depicted as one in a natural cycle, vividly expressing "living in harmony". It is a wonderful work that depicts the wish for a sustainable environment using the beautiful colors of nature.
“The colorful and innovative design really felt the message.” —30s
Employee Special Prize:
TREES FOR SUSTAINABLE LIVING
Rahma Nabila Zahrani (11)
Tree as a symbol of growth, strength and immortality. Trees provide a source of life for all of us, so don’t cut down the trees carelessly, don’t throw away waste and rubbish carelessly for a sustainable healthy environment.
The contrast between the black tree stump and the tree in the center full of life is very beautiful, and it is wonderful to represent various kinds of life. I can empathize that protecting forests leads to sustainability.
“It's nice to talk about sustainability in the painting. I stopped and looked at it.” —50s
Honorable Mention:
Admiration for the Beauty and Vibrancy of the World
Aiden Tsai (7)
The artist conveys a sense of fun as she flies and jumps among the flowers. The way to paint the flowers and backgrounds is ingenious and makes the work attractive.
Honorable Mention:
MY LOVING AND COLOURFUL RAINFOREST FLOWERS
Bethany Semeera Gamalathge (7)
This work depicts joyful creatures mingling with the vivid flowers filled in the frame. It expresses a wonderful harmony in coexisting beautifully and powerfully.
Honorable Mention:
The River of the Environment
Chen Yuxin (12)
The artist likens the leaves to the trees, the trunk to the roads and houses to be lined up along them. It expresses the unity of nature and human activity.
Honorable Mention:
Kela Pola
Dayani Sachindya Himaransi Yaddehige (14)
This work depicts a market for organically grown produce. The colorfully drawn painting clearly conveys the vibrancy of the local market and the joy of the harvest.
“The composition and the use of color are wonderful.” —50s
Honorable Mention:
MUSICIAN
Divna Ivanova (8)
The message is that if you sing to nature, nature will sing back to you. The depiction of creatures and people is also unique.
Honorable Mention:
Let's Stop Food Waste For Our Planet
Ellena Lauretta Susanto (15)
The theme is a warning to food waste. It captures the essence of the problem, which is that it not only leads to food shortages, but also affects to whole global environment.
“The message was conveyed. It's like the cover of a picture book.” —50s
“Seeing a variety of expressions and ideas freely expressed in paintings made me feel brighter. I like the warm touch!” —20s
“It is a very nice painting with a great message.” —60s
Honorable Mention:
The flow of my veins is a witness to the future
Graciella Thomas (6)
Various actions for environmental protection are depicted in each hand. It expresses the importance of our own actions and learning.
Honorable Mention:
Look at Us, Aren't We Cute?
Guan Yanshuo (7)
The way each animal is depicted is very ingenious. The joy of meeting the animals and the desire to take good care of them overflows.
“With the honest sensitivity of a child, the work was as good as those of adults.” —50s
Honorable Mention:
First period: ESD
Haruka Sumii (15)
A class on sustainability. A distinctive composition depicts the seriousness that students learn about the current state of the earth and its importance.
Honorable Mention:
We must share
Jovanna Zhao Menghe (12)
The work depicts the importance of coexistence with animals. The unique angle from below looking up and the composition of the picture are fascinating and seem to draw you in.
Honorable Mention:
Let's plant the trees to create the forest
Kanok-on Ket-in (12)
It is a fantastic depiction of planting the seedlings for the abundant environment in the future. When we get closer, we are impressed by the detail and ingenuity of the expression.
Honorable Mention:
Let's fill the ruined world with nature
Kazuma Otani (10)
The world full of flowers and trees depicted on the left side is the future we want to achieve. The wish to make it come true by working together is well conveyed.
Honorable Mention:
The World of the Ocean in My Eyes
Liao Yu Lin (8)
Unlike the imaginary sea, this work depicts sad reality of coral bleaching and marine debris. The touch is ingenious and the artist conveys his desire to protect the ocean.
Honorable Mention:
Fashioning the Future from Recycled Bottles
Low En Ning Tessa (8)
Reclaiming plastic for fashion. This is a cheerful depiction of not only resource reclamation, but also adding ideas can deepen the meaning.
Honorable Mention:
The Voice of Happiness
Lv Xinying (6)
The flowing composition of traditional lanterns expresses the idea that protecting both the environment and our own culture so that we can coexist leads to happiness.
Honorable Mention:
LIVING WITH BEES AND BUTTERFLIES IS MY FUTURE DREAM
M.T.G.Amithabha Chandrabhanu Tholangamuwa (8)
Bees and butterflies are important to the natural world. From themselves depicted as if blending in, it is expressed that human beings are also one with nature.
“The happy face of a girl surrounded by bees and butterflies, the large dragonfly protecting the water, and the saplings held by many children in the line drawing are all so wonderful that they bring tears to my eyes.” —70s
Honorable Mention:
The Story of Why Yesterday, Today And Tomorrow Are Important
Maria Felicity Tejada (12)
It is impressed by the artist’s expression and composition with a precise touch, which has brought together in a single painting the long history of the ecosystem and the integral part of all living things.
Honorable Mention:
Urban forest
Navalant Ruanthawee (9)
Trees and houses that reduce the effects of global warming are depicted in a beautiful colors. The seamless composition also conveys the importance of coexistence.
“It is hard to believe that this is the work of a 9 year old. I also think that the many plants surrounding the residents create a sense of livability.” —60s
“The image of everyone living in a pleasant atmosphere with round trees scattered all over the place is very nice.” —50s
“Wonderful! I was especially amazed at the artistic sense of the Thai children. Really at this age? I was surprised.” —60s
Honorable Mention:
Hoping One Day We’ll Meet
Ngan Hong Yu (9)
The combination of the watercolor background and the pen-drawn creatures is beautiful. It conveys a strong wish that the sea will remain clean until they grow up.
“The use of colors and expressions is wonderful, and it is soothing.” —50s
“It was beautiful with light colors.” —10s
“It is a nice combination of the scene in the ocean and the environmental issues as a beautiful work. I like the colors!” —10s
Honorable Mention:
Pu Peo Tribe's Pledge to Protect Forests
Ngo Minh Tuan (12)
A ceremony that tribal elders tell their children and grandchildren to protect the forest. The forest brings abundance and happiness, and we feel the wish to preserve the tradition from generation to generation.
“The painting is well composed.” —50s
“The colors and outlines were appealing to the heart.” —50s
Honorable Mention:
Protecting the Environment Is Fun
Nguyen Nhat Kim Ngan (8)
The message that humans are a part of the earth, therefore we have a role and responsibility to protect nature is powerfully expressed in a bright colors.
Honorable Mention:
WE RESPECT THE PLANET ENTRUSTED TO US!
Peter Granić (6)
A bold composition depicting people's heads as one world, with nature in harmony within. It uniquely expresses that everyone should be aware and act accordingly.
“I was struck by the richness of the composition and colors, as if the creatures on the earth were connected in a circle.” —60s
Honorable Mention:
Glowing Plant
So Ngo Hei, Hayden (11)
The green lines, which seem plant vines, convey various messages. The patterns on the background also make the work unique.
Honorable Mention:
All of Us, the Beautiful Forest, and the Environment
Suthida Sophap (11)
The message is to plant trees and live together in harmony for protecting our precious forests and water. Every detail is carefully painted to enhance the beauty of the blue color.
Honorable Mention:
Shade
Tanomkwan Chotiprapat (13)
With nature as a single living organism in the center and human activity in the periphery, the work uniquely expresses the fact that we could not exist without the natural environment.
Honorable Mention:
Live Together
Tay Qi Yin (15)
The artist hopes to coexist peacefully with plants and animals even in the city. The ideal world is depicted in the backlight of the setting sun, creating an impressive work.
Honorable Mention:
A New Forest
Wang Yile (11)
This work questions new ways to conserve ecosystems. It uses various shades of green and yellow-green and a dynamic touch to vividly depict nature.
Honorable Mention:
Protect the environment and enjoy nature created by air God
Wong Yun Yee (10)
The painting depicts a happy coexistence with nature in a bold composition. Scratching techniques and the way light shines through the center are also ingeniously used.
Honorable Mention:
The Last Tree
Wu Bo Ting (9)
The last tree and the crying people are depicted in striking colors. It is symbolically warning us against the damage being done to nature.
“The last tree, it made me think something. It was all wonderful works. I happened to pass by and felt happy.” —40s
Honorable Mention:
Take care of living things in the world for sustainability
Yalinda Kuttiyon (10)
This work appeals for coexistence with all living things. The harmonious world is beautifully depicted as a fragile jellyfish, with striking white lines.
“I wanted to hang this painting in my living room and look at it every day.” —50s
The importance of forests and wetlands is vividly expressed in deep green and beautiful blue. The birds that appear and disappear in the forest in the background are delightful, and the brightly colored fish and small creatures in this work offer a message for the future.