“You don’t have to be a scientist or a policymaker to make a difference. Art has the power to change perspectives and inspire people to care.”
That’s what Hyungjun Chin, an 18-year-old student from the Republic of Korea, learned thanks to taking part in the Khaled bin Sultan Living Oceans Foundation’s 2025 Science Without Borders® Challenge.
Through his research into his piece, which won him first place in the 15–19-year-old group, he also learned about the delicate balance within marine ecosystems and explored how art can be an important tool for environmental education.
The theme of this year’s contest, Marine Keystone Species, had students submitting artwork highlighting the vital role of ocean keystone species in their marine ecosystems.
Hyungjun’s award-winning piece, “The Keeper”, highlights the importance of sea otters, a keystone species that play a critical role in managing sea urchin populations and protecting kelp forests from overgrazing. Hyungjun’s artwork demonstrates how every species has a role to play and how “protecting nature starts with understanding its connections.”
“This experience has made me more aware of how our actions—like overfishing or pollution—can disrupt entire ecosystems. I now feel a stronger sense of responsibility to use my voice and my art to raise awareness and encourage others to take action, even in small ways,” he says.
Hyungjun plans to continue creating art to bring awareness to ocean conservation and inspire others to take action.
This #LoveNature story has been adapted to reflect the Q&A article published through the Living Oceans Foundations. Find the original article here.