Sanjay Sundram - Visual Art
The Teach Your Parents project
Learn, paint and show your art at an Art gallery in Ottawa, Canada.
Background: Climate change is upon us. It is often discussed in scientific publications or brief news articles that most children do not see. This is unfortunate and unfair because young people are going to be the most affected. The climate emergency will certainly get worse as they grow up.
The Teach Your Parents project provides climate change information to young audiences. In this instance, Ocean warming, a key aspect of climate change, is presented. Children and youth are encouraged to learn, observe the changes in their surroundings, and think about possible climate actions. They document their understanding through paintings or illustrations, some of which will be exhibited in a prestigious art gallery in Ottawa. The project is intended as an initial step to spreading awareness and motivating readers to learn more.
How do I participate?
Step 1. Read the climate comics posted on this website.
There is one comic now (The Heat Beneath the Waves).
Step 2. Choose one of the suggested topics. Read the information below on the painting size and material.
Step 3. Make your painting! You can create more than one painting if you like. Mak
Step 4. Submit an image of your painting(s) online. The submission link is below.
You might be able to submit your painting to your teachers too. Ask them.
PLEASE NOTE: The submission deadline is June 10, 2024.
Submit your work early. Don't wait till the last day.
What will happen next?
About 100 paintings will be selected for exhibition in an Ottawa Art gallery in November 2024. We will also exhibit more paintings online. Names of the young painters and their schools will be displayed alongside each painting. The show will have a formal vernissage with associated media coverage.
Previous phase of the project (2022-23):
We conducted a previous phase of this project in 2022-23, and it was a huge success. Watch the project video below. Photos from the final exhibition at Trinity Art Gallery are here.
Painting topics, size and colours:
What should I paint?
Please read the comic below to understand the Ocean’s present state and how it affects all of us. Choose any one of the following topics for your painting/illustration:
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Option 1: Make a painting of the ocean. Perhaps you can show something you have learned from the comic. (Ask yourself: Do I want to paint how the ocean might feel? Can I show how the ocean reacts to climate change? Will there be sea creatures in my painting? Should I make a realistic or an abstract painting or more of an illustration? Which colour scheme will fit the mood of the painting better? It is all up to you. You can paint the ocean in whatever way you like.)
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Option 2: Make a painting that shows the effects of global heating. Have you noticed any changes around you because of global heating? You could ask an adult about how things were before. You could also draw a scene from the comic, but don’t copy the comic. Paint the scene in your own style. (Example: There are many ways to paint a flood or a storm. Paint it in a way you like. Use colours.)
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Option 3: What can we do to reduce climate change? Paint/illustrate your suggestion.
What should I paint on?
You can paint on any one of the following:
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On Canvas: Size- 14 inches (width) x 11 inches (height). If you can’t find that exact size, use a size similar to it.
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On Paper: Size- Use an A4 or A3 sized sheet in landscape format, or use 14 inches (width) x 11 inches (height).
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Using a computer program (digital image): Size- 1920 pixels x 1080 pixels.
How many paintings can I submit? Is there a submission fee?
You can submit as many paintings as you like. There is no submission fee.
Painting labels:
Feel free to sign your painting. Please write or stick a label on the back of the painting with your name, grade and school.