Judeleah Reyes “As the World Melts, Babies Are Born” – 2026 Finalist

Judeleah Reyes – “As the World Melts, Babies Are Born”

Woodbridge, VA

Division I: 14–18 Years Old

Acrylic on canvas

My piece criticizes the lack of care towards our planet’s current climate crisis and its effect on the future of the planet and its organisms. Often, I feel angry when I think of the exploitation of raw materials (usually through unethical labor and by richer nations) but this anger often mellows into a simmer of sorrow and cynicism. I tried to redirect these feelings into this piece that spotlights the despair of the oil industry, while future generations of humans and animals are left to live with its consequences. Additionally, the two subjects are my dad and brother, it looks like they’re saying “Stop!” to the viewer.