The China Shanghai International Children’s Book Fair (CCBF) is glad to announce the 100 Finalists selected in the 2023 Golden Pinwheel Young Illustrators Competition. Those 100 shortlisted artworks are composed with 50 of Book Publishing Category and 50 of Commercial Category.
Already at its 8th edition, Golden Pinwheel aims to give recognition to young talented artists active in the field of children’s book illustration. Since this edition, the organising committee launched a new category—Commercial, in addition to the original submission category—Book Publishing, so as to encourage illustrators to demonstrate their commercial value through diversified forms of artistic expression, and to promote communication and cooperation with illustrators and brands, advertisers.
Throughout the summer, the Jury composed of 9 international experts—Suzanne Carnell (UK), Chen Sai (China), Marion Jablonski (France), Victo Ngai (US/Hong Kong,China), Wang Zumin (China) as Book Publishing juries, Ivan Canu (Italy), Victo Ngai (US/Hong Kong,China), Emiliano Ponzi (Italy), Tian Dongming (China) and Carrot Wu (China) as Commercial juries —reviewed 2,730 entries using a shared online system and finalised their selection via digital conference.
From China to Italy, Russia to Iran, the finalists represent 22 countries and territories from six continents. This shows the sheering vitality of the global illustration arena. Also, we can’t but be filled with astonishment by the very young age of the shortlisted artists, the youngest finalist being just 22. Undoubtedly, the future of illustration is assured!
2023 Finalists (in alphabetical order):
The 100 finalists’ artworks will be exhibited at the Golden Pinwheel Exhibition held at the China Shanghai International Children’s Book Fair from 17 to 19 November. In addition, their works will be featured in the 2023 Golden Pinwheel Yearbook to be published in November and distributed among all the Fair’s exhibitors and partners.
As early as 08 November, the finalists’ works will also be visible in a digital form in the Golden Pinwheel Online Gallery located on the competition’s official website. From that day to the closing of CCBF on 19 November, the illustrations will be submitted to a popular vote open to all Online Gallery viewers and CCBF visitors. The artist to receive the highest number of votes will win the Golden Pinwheel People’s Choice Award (one for Book Publishing and one for Commercial).
On the eve of the Fair, the Golden Pinwheel Jury will meet again to choose the winners of Golden Pinwheel special awards for both Book Publishing and Commercial category among the abovementioned finalists: one Grand Award to a Chinese artist, one Grand Award to an international illustrator, and three Special Mentions.
In parallel, the 50 finalists’ works of Book Publishing Category will come under the scrutiny of another panel of illustration specialists to choose the winner of Golden Pinwheel Young Illustrators Competition Astra Award.
The winners of the abovementioned awards will be announced at the Fair, except the People’s Choice Award laureate, whose identity will be released on 20 November.
Last but not least, one of the winners mentioned above will be appointed to design the 2024 CCBF visual identity, which will enrich all the Fair’s communication for a whole year.
