41 winning works unveiled at 21st Biodiversity Illustration and AI Image Contest

The National Institute of Biological Resources, under the Ministry of Climate, Environment and Energy, announced Monday that it has selected 41 winning works from the 21st Biodiversity Illustration and AI Image Contest.

The illustration contest, held annually since 2006, aims to raise public attention and understanding of native species and to spread awareness of the value of biodiversity through artistic expression.

This year's contest introduced a new AI image category and expanded the scope of eligible subjects to include species listed under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora.

Entries were sought on the theme of "coexistence between humans and living things," going beyond mere observation and documentation to convey the importance of biodiversity conservation.

The contest ran from May 11 to Aug. 28 and received a total of 987 submissions. A panel of six experts reviewed the entries and selected 41 winners — 11 from the adult category, 24 from the middle and high school category, and 6 from the elementary school category.

In the illustration division, the grand prizes went to: "The Aesthetics of Slowness, Breathing with the Earth — Sloth" by Cha Yeong-a in the adult category; "Warmth on Frozen Ice" by Kim Eun-hye in the high school category; "Mudskipper" by Jeon Je-i in the middle school category; and "Long Time No See, My Small and Precious Friend of Jirisan" by Lee Jae-yun in the elementary school category.

In the AI image division, the grand prizes went to: "A Forest's Moment of Silence" by Kim Ga-ram in the adult category; "Drifting" by An Seon-yeong in the high school category; and "While Building a Home, the Home Disappeared" by An Hyeon-seong in the middle school category.

The winning works will go on public display Tuesday at the Saengsaeng Chaeum exhibition hall in Seohaegu, Incheon, and will later be shown on digital display boards on the first and second floors of the hall. Visiting hours are 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. The hall is closed every Monday, on Jan. 1, and on the day before and the day of seollal and chuseok. Admission and parking are free.

National Institute of Biological Resources Director Yu Ho said the contest was intended to go beyond technical achievement in faithfully depicting the appearance of living things. "We hope this contest serves as an opportunity to reflect on the meaning of biodiversity and the value of respect for life," Yu said. "We will continue to create a platform where artistic creativity and ecological sensibility come together, so that all citizens can participate in biodiversity conservation."