JatimVoice.com – While Japan is renowned as the Land of the Cherry Blossoms, it is also a global hub for art and culture. This year, amid the country's vibrant creative scene, three young Indonesian talents emerged as winners at the prestigious 32nd Annual World Children’s Picture Contest, hosted by Japan’s Ie No Hikari Association.
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| source: suarajatimpost |
The competition, themed "Self Expression," invited children worldwide to convey their thoughts, emotions, and identities through visual art. Out of 11,479 submissions from 68 countries, only 200 artworks made it to the final round after a rigorous two-stage judging process by a panel of professional artists.
Three students from Lotus Art Courses Indonesia, based in Surabaya, secured spots among the winners:
- Vivian Edvin – Bronze Prize
- Ameera Cremelicia K. – Bronze Prize
- R. Anggoro Mulneo – Honorable Mention
Their imaginative and deeply personal works captivated the judges, earning them recognition alongside young artists from countries with long-standing traditions in visual arts.
I Putu Mahendra, founder of Lotus Art Courses, expressed immense pride in his students’ achievements. "This isn’t just about winning—it’s about Indonesian children expressing their identities on a global stage," he said.
He emphasized that Lotus Art’s approach goes beyond technical skills, focusing on emotional authenticity and personal storytelling. "We teach children to be honest with their feelings and translate them into colors and shapes. That’s the true essence of self-expression."
Mahendra hopes this victory will inspire more young Indonesians to pursue art fearlessly. "This proves that our children have extraordinary potential. With the right guidance, they can become the next stars of international art." The winning artworks will be displayed in Japan and published in Ie No Hikari’s annual collection, giving global audiences a glimpse of Indonesia’s budding artistic talent.