Allianz Global Investors announces winners of “Art on Climate” International Illustration Competition
Key takeaways
- AllianzGI sponsored illustrators across the globe to create artworks relating to climate change
- Over 3,400 artworks submitted by more than 2,300 illustrators from over 100 locations
- Top 53 artworks are featured in 3D virtual exhibition
- Champion chooses Earthwatch to receive a donation from AllianzGI to support Teach Earth project
Allianz Global Investors (“AllianzGI”), one of the world’s leading active asset managers, announced today the winners of the “Art of Climate” International Illustration Competition. The Competition, sponsored by AllianzGI, aims to provide a platform for the exchange of ideas and solutions to tackle climate change, and to inspire the public to make meaningful change in response to this global challenge.
During the submission period from 20 June to 19 August this year, over 3,400 artworks were submitted by more than 2,300 illustrators. The illustrators represent at least 100 different locations around the globe, from Armenia to Zimbabwe. Around two-thirds of the illustrators came from Asia Pacific, with about one third from EMEA and 10% from the Americas.
Among the five statements the pieces were to be inspired by, about one-third of the artists connected strongly with the theme “Change your lifestyle to make a real difference” (35%), followed by “Preserve our world for the next generation” (30%).
A panel of judges, made up of representatives from the art community around the world, including Federation of Cartoonists Organizations International and Asian Art Association, assessed each of the artworks and chose the final top 53 pieces:
Champion: Luc Vernimmen from Belgium
First Runner-up: Reynerio Tamayo Fonseca from Cuba
Second Runner-up: Cheng Chaocheng from China
Here are their artworks and stories:
The Champion’s story:
“We need innovative entrepreneurs, government agencies, scientists and housing corporations to make buildings more climate-adaptive. Let today be the starting signal for more collaboration, more climate adaptation and more innovation! Scientists are testing the benefits of electrochromic glass. This type of glass block solar heat and can cool a home during hot days. Another innovation is a concrete product to which plants can adhere: bio-receptive concrete. This allows moss to grow on the facades of houses, etc.”
The 1st Runner-up’s story:
“Image of a lone penguin standing on an ice floe in the middle of the sea carrying something in the shape of a thermometer. All living species on the planet are condemned and punished for the behaviour of man towards changes in the climate.”
The 2nd Runner-up’s story:
“This poster takes as its starting point the protection of the natural environment, which is gradually being polluted and destroyed. The poster therefore focuses on polar bears, whose homes are being flooded by melting glaciers due to rising sea levels caused by global warming, making it difficult for them to survive.”
The 53 artworks by the awarded winners will be featured in a 3D virtual art exhibition here.
Matt Christensen, Global Head of Sustainable and Impact Investing at Allianz Global Investors, said: “Our congratulations to the winners and finalists on their remarkable artworks. We were amazed by the overwhelming response we received from across the globe, with the artists expressing their hopes as well as concerns about our joint future on this planet, with each artwork offering a unique perspective and story. A sustainable future is achievable only when every one of us takes action, and therefore it’s encouraging to see more than half of the illustrators came from younger generations.”
Contributing to charitable organisations to empower the next generation through education and art
While the Competition focuses on recognising artworks that raise awareness on climate change, AllianzGI is also taking this opportunity to support charitable organisations and projects that empower future generations through education and art. The firm has shortlisted three charitable organisations – Earthwatch UK, Vaga Lume from Brazil, and YCAB Foundation from Indonesia – from different regions for their distinctive projects that empower future generations through education and art. The Champion has chosen Earthwatch as the recipient of a donation from AllianzGI to support their project.
About “Art on Climate” Illustration Competition
The Competition was first launched in Spain in 2019, attracting more than 900 artworks from over 400 participants. In 2021, it extended its footprint to the Asia Pacific region, with over 1,300 artworks submitted by more than 1,000 illustrators. Riding on the successes, the Competition this year aimed to bring greater visibility to the issue of climate change by taking on a global nature for the first time, with entries welcomed from the whole of EMEA, the Americas and Asia Pacific.
For further information please contact
Sophie Niven, Media +44 20 3246 7846 ukmedia@allianzgi.com
Notes to editors
Further details about this year’s "Art on Climate" International Illustration Competition:
Theme:
- Climate Action (SDG 13, according to the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals)
Statements (at least one for each artwork):
- Change your lifestyle to make a real difference
- Preserve our world for the next generation
- Tell others what you are doing to magnify your impact
- Be optimistic about climate action
- Take meaningful climate action to create social, economic and ecological benefits for everyone
For more details such as artwork specifications, selection criteria, judging panel and the charity organisations, please visit the official website (nine languages available).
About the three charity organisations
Earthwatch (UK)
Earthwatch is an international environmental charity, driving the change needed to live within our means and in balance with nature. They work with underserved communities to ensure that young people feel more connected with nature and know how to take action for the environment. Chosen by the Champion, Earthwatch will receive the donation from AllianzGI for Teach Earth, through which Earthwatch connects directly with teachers, empowering them to support the next generation, year after year.
Vaga Lume (Brazil)
Vaga Lume is a nonprofit organization founded in 2001 to empower children within rural communities of the Amazon by fostering literacy and operating community libraries as knowledge sharing places. Their five fundamental principles include promoting local culture by encouraging and training communities to register their stories in handmade books.
YCAB Foundation (Indonesia)
Founded in 1999, YCAB Foundation is a nonprofit organization with a vision to break the cycle of poverty by using financial inclusion as an instrument to enable education. As of 2022, YCAB Foundation has successfully impacted almost 5 million youth. Their projects include Rumah Belajar Batik, a vocational training center that aims to reduce unemployment and build the confidence of disadvantaged youth, who are also the easy targets of bullying, by providing batik skills training, while at the same time preserving the artistic legacy of batik.
About Allianz Global Investors
Allianz Global Investors is a leading active asset manager, managing EUR 578 billion in assets for individuals, families and institutions worldwide. By being active and investing for the long term, our goal is to elevate the investment experience for our clients and generate value every step of the way.
Active is: Allianz Global Investors
Data as at 30 June 2022. On 25 July 2022, AllianzGI completed the transfer of investment teams (including 87 Investment Professionals) and USD 101bn of assets they manage to Voya Investment Management as part of a strategic partnership. Two thirds of the assets continue to be managed on behalf of AllianzGI clients outside of the US.