A platform for young artists to showcase their talent and drive action on the world’s most pressing issues.
YOUR VOTE, OUR FUTURE
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Voting plays a critical role in shaping democratic societies. Art has a powerful way of acting as a catalyst for change. What happens when these two ideas are combined?
For the 2024 Summer Session of the Young Artists Collective, Global Citizen has teamed up with graphic design students from the U.S., South Africa, Brazil, and Poland to explore exactly that. Each Young Artist was challenged to capture the importance of voting through their own unique lens—without political bias—in a single poster. Under the guidance of Eddie Opara, a partner at Pentagram and a leader in the design world, the students had five weeks to complete their vision, creating powerful visual statements on the role of voting in our societies.
Sandra Francuzik
Nicolaus Copernicus University, POLAND
MESSAGE FROM THE ARTIST
It gives me a voice in shaping laws that impact the safety and dignity of individuals. By voting, I contribute to creating an inclusive society where everyone can live authentically without fear.
Wiktoria Kowalczyk
SWPS University, POLAND
MESSAGE FROM THE ARTIST
Voting gives me a chance to change something. I'm not from high society. Also, I'm not a politician. Even though sometimes I feel like I'm not in power to solve all the problems, when I vote I'm sure my vote will be counted. I know there are no superior voices.
Oliwia Dziadul
WIT Academy, POLAND
MESSAGE FROM THE ARTIST
My poster represents the idea that the power to create and change the world lies within us and our actions—specifically, through voting. At the same time, we are the ones responsible for taking care of it, holding the world in check, like Atlas carrying the weight of the world on his back. Sometimes, it can feel like the work of Sisyphus—endless and seemingly meaningless—but in the end, we are the creators of our reality.
Jakub Pyrzynski
WIT Academy, POLAND
MESSAGE FROM THE ARTIST
Voting is important to me because it makes me feel like I have an influence on how the country operates. I believe it is my patriotic duty.
Marta Czekaj
WIT Academy, POLAND
MESSAGE FROM THE ARTIST
My poster shows that the vote we cast is not an innocent game, but an important decision that every citizen should carefully consider. It depicts a tennis player hitting the 'Earth' as the ball, waiting for the next one—but there isn't another. There is only one planet, and we must be thoughtful in choosing who will be responsible for taking care of it.
William-Nathan Uwubanmwen
University of Johannesburg, SOUTH AFRICA
MESSAGE FROM THE ARTIST
My poster emphasizes the importance of voting to preserve our planet. To effectively address serious issues like pollution, climate change, and global warming, it’s essential to elect a governing party that prioritizes environmental protection. The poster visually represents this idea, with a person physically shielding the Earth from pollution using a ballot.
KAGISO MODISANE
University of Johannesburg, SOUTH AFRICA
MESSAGE FROM THE ARTIST
For me, voting represents the freedom to make informed decisions that reflect my values and aspirations for a better society. It offers a platform to influence change at both national and global levels, fostering progress and social advancement. By participating in elections, I am contributing to a system that seeks to enhance the well-being of not only my country but also the broader global community.
Maria Eduarda Braga Terra
Federal Fluminense University, BRAZIL
MESSAGE FROM THE ARTIST
As a young person, voting is personally important to me because it allows me to have a say in decisions that will shape the future I will live in, particularly concerning environmental policies. My generation will face the long-term consequences of today's actions, so voting is a way to ensure that leaders prioritize sustainability and the well-being of the planet for future generations.
Aubrey Anne Carlos
San José State University, USA
MESSAGE FROM THE ARTIST
As a young person, voting is especially important to me because we are often overlooked due to our age. Voting is how we make our voices heard, and it’s one of the few ways to ensure people take us seriously. Without the power to vote—not just for young people, but for people of all ages—we would all be lost.
Sam Scherping
Temple University, Tyler School of Art & Architecture, USA
MESSAGE FROM THE ARTIST
Voting is important to me as a young person because it gives us the opportunity to advocate for the causes that shape our future—like climate reform, LGBTQ+ rights, racial equity, education, and foreign policy. Now is the time to make our voices heard, because together, we have the power to drive meaningful change.
Branden Mesia
Rutgers University, Mason Gross School of the Arts, USA
MESSAGE FROM THE ARTIST
My work is a call to action to vote because the future of our planet depends on those we elect. If we want to leave behind a better world for the next generation, we must empower leaders who will take proactive steps to protect our dying Earth.
Pola Pawlak
SWPS University, POLAND
MESSAGE FROM THE ARTIST
We all have hopes and dreams for our future, and we want to have a say in how it will look. Even though each of us may have a different point of view, it's important that we fight for that future—by voting. I wanted to show how diverse yet united we are, not only in our voices, but in our shared need for a better future.
Marta Olszewska
SWPS University, POLAND
MESSAGE FROM THE ARTIST
My poster highlights the importance of voting in a democracy through a combination of emotionally resonant visuals and powerful messaging. It features an image of a pen symbolizing a woman's body, accompanied by quotes women often hear during childbirth from medical personnel in Poland, such as 'Just push harder, it’s not that bad,' or 'If you can't handle this, how will you raise a child?' This image visually represents voting as a tangible and impactful way to contribute to change in our nation.
Natalia Gudzińska
SWPS University, POLAND
MESSAGE FROM THE ARTIST
In a democracy, every vote is a vital building block crucial to sustaining the system. This concept is visually represented through a popular block-stacking game, where each piece symbolizes a vote. The removal of even a single block destabilizes the entire structure. The poster emphasizes the message: 'Don’t pull yourself out—your vote matters,' serving as a compelling reminder that the health and stability of democracy rely on the active participation of every individual.
Natalia Dziadul
WIT Academy, POLAND
MESSAGE FROM THE ARTIST
The poster calls for action on our lives and our planet. By voting, you give hope for sunflowers to bloom and for a better tomorrow.
Julia Wrobel
WIT Academy, POLAND
MESSAGE FROM THE ARTIST
By voting we can change our world.
Marta Zimolzak
WIT Academy, POLAND
MESSAGE FROM THE ARTIST
My poster features the Earth holding a pen and a ballot, symbolizing that voting is a powerful tool for shaping the future of our planet. It encourages people to vote, emphasizing that through democratic participation, we can positively impact the fate of the world and improve the conditions of life on Earth.
Nicholas Le
San José State University, USA
MESSAGE FROM THE ARTIST
Voting is important to me because it allows me to directly support and drive the changes I’m passionate about. It’s a way for my voice to be heard and to make an impact on the community around me.
Allen Duong
San José State University, USA
MESSAGE FROM THE ARTIST
As a young person, I believe voting is important because, at a time when mental health is declining and the future feels bleak for many in my generation, it’s easy to feel powerless. While one vote might seem insignificant, the truth is quite the opposite—voting represents the power we hold as U.S. citizens to create real change.
Nicole Ricci
Montclair State University, USA
MESSAGE FROM THE ARTIST
Voting is important because it gives everyone, especially young people, the chance to take steps toward building the future they want for themselves and their country. Personally, I’m passionate about women’s and LGBTQ+ rights, and ensuring children have access to quality education in a safe environment. These are the issues that drive me to the polls. I encourage fellow young and first-time voters to do their research and discover their own 'why.'
Dani Goldman
Temple University, Tyler School of Art & Architecture, USA
MESSAGE FROM THE ARTIST
As a young citizen, voting is incredibly important to me. As a woman, I’m aware that it wasn’t long ago when I couldn’t vote. There are still many people in this country who are unable to vote, so I use my vote to advocate for their needs.
Mandisa Ntlabati
University of Johannesburg, SOUTH AFRICA
MESSAGE FROM THE ARTIST
As a young person, I didn’t initially see the value in voting. At first, I voted out of guilt or peer pressure, but now I realize voting is a powerful tool to unite our country. It empowers us to choose leaders who will shape our future. Your vote—perhaps the missing one—can be the tipping point for real change. I vote to help build a genuine democracy and a better future, and I hope we can come together to elect leaders who truly work for the people.
Philasande Masoga
University of Johannesburg, SOUTH AFRICA
MESSAGE FROM THE ARTIST
The poster communicates the importance of voting in a democracy by visually depicting the harsh realities faced by children due to corruption within the education sector. The bold heading emphasizes the power individuals' have in a democratic system to bring about change and appeals to voters sense of responsibility while the accompanying text at the bottom links the act of voting to potentially ending corruption in the education department which will result in ensuring better educational opportunities for current and future generations.
Khaalid Harris
University of Johannesburg, SOUTH AFRICA
MESSAGE FROM THE ARTIST
My poster emphasizes the impact voting has on future generations and the youth. The fate of the youth is in the voters' hands. By informing the audience that their vote can make a difference in areas they are passionate about, such as education, it significantly increases their likelihood of voting.
Wandile Kunene
University of Johannesburg, SOUTH AFRICA
MESSAGE FROM THE ARTIST
My design explores the issue of pollution that the current South African government is aware of but has failed to address, suggesting that voting for a different ruling party could bring about change. The poster emphasizes that change can start from the grassroots level, highlighting the significance of each individual voter in making a difference.
MENTOR
Eddie Opara
Partner-in-Charge, Creative Director
Eddie Opara was born in London in 1972. He studied graphic design at the London College of Printing and Yale University. He began his career at ATG and Imaginary Forces and worked as senior designer-art director at 2×4 before establishing his own studio, The Map Office. He joined Pentagram’s New York office as partner in 2010. His projects have included the design of brand identity, publications, packaging, environments, exhibitions, interactive installations, websites, user interfaces and software, with many of his projects ranging across multiple media and clients including; lululemon, Samsung, Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum, Nike, Grace Farms, the Menil Foundation, the Corcoran Group, Morgan Stanley, New York University, SHoP Architects, buroOS, Skidmore Owings & Merrill (SOM), David Adjaye Associates and Princeton Architectural Press. His work is in the permanent collection of the Museum of Modern Art and has appeared in publications such as Wired, Fast Company, Creative Review, Archis, Surface and Graphis. Opara is also a senior critic at the Yale University School of Art and has recently authored a book, Color Works, published by Rockport. He was named one of Adweek Creative 100 in 2018, one of Fast Company’s 100 Most Creative People in Business in 2012 and 2014, and was featured in Ebony Magazine’s Power 100 list.
