LG Electronics USA has announced the winners of the third annual LG Wonderbox Showcase, a 3D digital art competition for college-level art students. The results were revealed on July 21 during an episode of Access Daily with Mario & Kit, where finalists presented anamorphic artworks crafted around the theme “Life’s Good When You Protect Wildlife.” The contest challenged participants to depict endangered and vulnerable species in immersive digital environments that highlight each creature’s role in sustaining life on Earth.
First place was awarded to Matthew Leung for his piece titled “LG x Sea Otter.” Leung’s work features a vivid aquatic habitat that showcases the sea otter’s natural environment and emphasizes the animal’s role in ocean conservation by depicting the otter rescuing litter from the water’s surface. Leung explained that his art reflects the idea that a healthy ecosystem requires collective effort.
The team of Ellesting Zhu, Dongmin Mok and Zhiqi Liu took second place with “Don’t Let Them Disappear,” an artwork centered on the Yacare caiman and the butterfly species known to drink the caiman’s tears. The trio sought to illustrate the interdependence of these two species and draw attention to threats such as habitat loss and human activity.
Third place went to Vinh Vo for “Hope for the Blue,” which portrays an endangered blue whale guiding a young diver through a submerged cityscape. Vo described the pair as symbols of hope and unity, aligning with LG’s vision for a more compassionate future.
Submissions were judged by a panel including wildlife filmmaker Mike Gunton, graphic designer Holly Spearing and artist Carey Stanton. Winners received cash prizes of $25,000 for first place, $10,000 for second and $5,000 for third. The grand prize winner also received a technology bundle featuring LG’s CineBeam Q 4K UHD projector and the LG Smart Monitor Swing, a 32 in (81 cm) 4K touchscreen display on a wheeled base designed for creative collaboration.