Trash to Art: COIL Art Contest reveals 2023 finalists

The third annual COIL Upcycle Art Contest has selected seven finalists from a pool of 100 applicants for the Grand Prix, set to be held on December 9. In a novel twist, an Audience Award will also be introduced this year, democratizing the judging process by inviting public participation.

These seven artists, handpicked by the organizing committee, will have approximately three and a half months to prepare their masterpieces. Come December, these works will be unveiled at a grand finale, where a panel of judges will announce the winners of three distinguished awards. This isn’t just a one-off showcase; all selected pieces will be exhibited throughout the year by Nakatoku Holdings and are slated to appear at various regional events and museums.

But the COIL Upcycle Art Contest is more than an art competition. Born out of a 60-year-old waste management company’s vision, it serves as a groundbreaking platform for a broad societal dialogue on environmental sustainability. In its three-year run, the contest has already garnered participation from over 350 artists, acting as a catalyst for challenging conventional wisdom about waste and the environment.

The 2023 edition of the contest introduces a pivotal new theme: the “Value Creation Battlefield.” By casting a wider net for artist participation and incorporating an Audience Award determined by public voting, the organizers aim to foster an even more dynamic ecosystem of ideas. This diverse array of artists, each adding their unique brushstrokes to the larger canvas of sustainability, will engage the audience in a fresh, interactive manner.