'Visual Symphony' sends the right message

Out of 375,000 entries submitted from around the world, John Deng’s “vision of peace” was awarded one of 23 Merit Awards in the Lions Clubs International Peace Poster competition in 2011.

John’s creation includes famous landmarks, such as the Eiffel Tower and Taj Mahal, and a grand piano, musical notes and a peace dove in flight.

The 13-year-old, from Bucklands Beach Intermediate School [Auckland], said: “I painted music to express peace around the world. Music is a language everybody understands.”

John, who is in an extension art class, worked on his poster for two terms and went through a couple of draft versions before settling on the final. For his efforts, he received a cash award of US$500 and a certificate of achievement.

“I didn’t expect it,” said John, of his success. “I thought quite a lot of people had entered.”

The annual competition, which is open to young people aged 11-13 around the world, usually attracts around 200 entries from New Zealand and the Pacific Islands.

Past successes for the region have included Merit Awards for Zachary Faulkner from American Samoa in 2007 and 2008, and for Joshua Bruderer from Te Puke, Bay of Plenty in 2009.

This year’s grand prize-winning poster was created by Trisha Co Reynes, a 13-year-old from Manila, Philippines. She received US$5,000 and a trip with two guests to an awards ceremony at Lions Day with the United Nations in New York.

Click here for the competition rules.