The China Shanghai International Children’s Book Fair (CCBF) is glad to announce the 50 Finalists selected in the 2021 Golden Pinwheel Young Illustrators Competition. Already at its 7th edition, Golden Pinwheel aims to give recognition to young talented artists active in the field of children’s book illustration.
Throughout the summer, the Jury composed of 5 international experts—Debbie Bibo (USA/Italy), Huang Li (China), Ken Niimura (Spain/Japan), Martin Salisbury (UK), and Zhu Ziqiang (China)—reviewed 2,426 entries using a shared online system and finalised their selection via digital conference.
From Russia to India, Mexico to Uruguay, the finalists represent 21 countries and territories. 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, half of them being under 30 years old, and the youngest finalist being just 22. Undoubtedly, the future of illustration is assured!
The 50 finalists come from 21 countries and territories. 2021 Finalists Selection (in alphabetical order):
| Name | Country and territory |
|---|---|
| Anna Aparicio Català | Spain |
| Luisa F. Arellano | Mexico |
| Mohammad Babakoohi | Iran |
| Marion Barraud | France |
| Emily Brooks | United Kingdom |
| Joaquin Camp | Argentina |
| Chen Xi | China |
| Cho Pei-Hsin | Taiwan, China |
| Inae Pereira Gouveia Coelho | Brazil |
| Irena Freitas | Brazil |
| Łukasz Golędzinowski | Poland |
| Guo Ye | China |
| Yuliya Gwilym | Ukraine |
| Gosia Herba | Poland |
| Hou Qingqing | China |
| Maria Ivashkina | Russia |
| Kanishk Kamal | India |
| Anna & Varvara Kendel | Russia |
| Katia Klein Carulla | Spain |
| Diane Li | China |
| Li Yewei | China |
| Lin Shih-Yu | Taiwan, China |
| Liu Chang | China |
| Liu Yichen | China |
| Lu Lili | China |
| Gisela Luz | Portugal |
| Donya Maghsoudlou | Iran |
| Leandro Mangado Acosta | Uruguay |
| Tamara Martynova | Russia |
| Naida Mazzenga | Italy |
| Bia Melo | Brazil |
| Miao Yu | China |
| Alexandra Mirzac | Romania |
| Kailee Ngan | Hong Kong, China |
| Juan Palomino, Amanda Mijangos & Armando Fonseca | Mexico |
| Nerea Pérez | Spain |
| Jaromir Plachy | Czech Republic |
| Olga Ptashnik | Russia |
| Roozeboos | Netherlands |
| Joanna Rzezak | Poland |
| Walid Serageldine | Switzerland |
| Tang Wei | China |
| Giulia Tomai | Italy |
| Tatyana Ukleiko | Russia |
| Wang Xiaoxu | China |
| Xu Wanxia | China |
| Yu Chongjing | China |
| Zhan Lin | China |
| Zhang Fan | China |
| Zong Minghao | China |
The 50 finalists’ artworks will be exhibited at the Golden Pinwheel Exhibition held at the China Shanghai International Children’s Book Fair from 19 to 21 November. In addition, their works will be featured in the 2021 Golden Pinwheel Yearbook to be published in November and distributed among all the Fair’s exhibitors and partners.
As early as 10 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 21 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 People’s Choice Award.
On the eve of the Fair, the Golden Pinwheel Jury will meet again to choose the winners of the Golden Pinwheel special awards 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 will come under the scrutiny of another panel of illustration specialists to choose the winner of the recently created Golden Pinwheel Young Illustrators Competition Astra Award. A partnership between CCBF and the sponsors of Astra International Picture Book Writing Contest, this new distinction will offer the winner a cash prize and a publishing contract.
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 22 November.
Last but not least, one of the winners mentioned above will be appointed to design the 2022 CCBF visual identity, which will enrich all the Fair’s communication for a whole year.
