The winners of “Art on AIDS”, a competition calling on young people from throughout Asia and the Pacific to advocate for youth-related issues in the AIDS response, have been announced.
UNESCO, UNICEF and UNAIDS, in collaboration with the Thai Health Promotion Foundation, supported the “Art on AIDS” initiative, which was undertaken by the Youth Program organizing committee for the 11th International Congress on AIDS in the Asia- Pacific (ICAAP) from 18-22 November 2013.
The jury selected seven works from the more than 120 entries submitted to the competition under the concept “innovate don’t discriminate”, which is also the theme of this year’s ICAAP. Young people (ages 18-28) entered the competition from countries across the region, including Cambodia, Fiji, India, Pakistan, the Philippines, and Thailand.
The winning pieces conveyed powerful messages of advocacy tied to the theme, reflecting an understanding among the region’s youth of the issues young people living with HIV face as well as hope for change.
The artworks that were submitted were colorful and highly creative, ranging from watercolors, to traditional paintings and even crayon drawings.
A peer review of each piece was conducted by members of a jury comprising representatives from each of the organizing bodies, who then independently scored the works against a standard set of criteria.
The winners were divided into two groups based on age: 12-17 and 18-28.
All three winners in the 12-17 category came from Fiji: Merani Laginiceva, age 12;
Everlyn Manuapa, 11; and Shreta Prakesh, 12.
In the 18-28 category the top three winners were: John Michael Servano, 27, of the Philippines; Kiatisak Sukantha, 23, of Thailand; and Tan Vatey, 20, from Cambodia.
A “People’s Choice” Award was given to the artist whose work received the most likes on the competition’s Facebook page, Muhammad Kamran Anwer Chouhdry, 23, from Pakistan.
An honourable mention was given to nine-year-old Thidsuwan Suwan, who, despite being under the minimum of age of entry, submitted a powerful and colorful drawing that impressed the jury.
Art on AIDS would like to thank all of the young people who entered the competition. Your efforts are important contributions to ensuring that the voices and advocacy of young people from the Asia-Pacific region are heard at ICAAP’11 and beyond.
All of the submissions will be displayed at ICAAP’11 and we look forward to sharing photos and updates of this exhibition after the event.
Facebook page: Art on AIDS Competition
View full announcement.
Art on AIDS.