Miles Coverdale primary pupil earns a spot on the UK’s most famous digital billboard after coming second in Young London Print Prize
In the heart of London, a young boy’s art took flight in a way he never imagined. Muiz Mustafa, a pupil at Miles Coverdale Primary School, stood with his family in awe as his creation illuminated the vibrant screen at Piccadilly Circus. Among hundreds of Londoners who had gathered to watch the iconic display, Muiz’s artwork, focused on environmental activism, was part of the annual Young London Print Prize. His anti-pollution print had caught the attention of the judges out of 1,600 entries for the 2024 competition, and he could hardly believe it.
“I wanted to show people that flying on planes is really bad for our environment,” Muiz explained, his voice full of determination. His piece, titled No Fly Zone, was a striking visual—an airplane crossed with warning symbols, created using a combination of stencils and lino printing. The artwork was meant to bring awareness to the harmful effects the aviation industry has on climate change, a pressing issue that Muiz felt deeply passionate about.
As Muiz gazed at the massive digital screen, his heart raced. He was surrounded by his mother, his sister Aymen, and his teacher, Miss Picken, who had all come to support him in this extraordinary moment. His mother’s proud smile, his sister’s excited chatter, and the words of encouragement from his teacher all added to the magic of the evening.
“I was shocked and so pleased,” Muiz confessed later. “My family were very proud of me.” His words were filled with a mix of disbelief and gratitude. After all, how could a schoolboy’s drawing end up lighting up one of the world’s busiest squares?
The Young London Print Prize, which had entries from 31 schools across the capital, was an event Muiz had been working toward for months. The competition provided young Londoners a unique platform to express their concerns about the environment through art. For Muiz, it was an opportunity to use his creativity to make a statement about the planet’s future.
In the classroom at Miles Coverdale Primary, environmental education was an integral part of their curriculum. Muiz had learned about the importance of reducing carbon footprints and the collective responsibility everyone had to protect the Earth. “We should all be trying to reduce our carbon footprint,” Muiz said, reflecting on what he had absorbed from his lessons. “Taking fewer trips on planes, trying to use public transport, walking, and cycling. Reduce, reuse, and recycle where possible!” These principles had become part of his daily routine, and it was only natural that he would channel these lessons into his artwork.
Muiz’s creation wasn’t the only piece of art that grabbed attention at the event. The competition had a wide array of thought-provoking works, all offering their own views on environmental issues. One of the other winning entries, Mystic Blues, a Puffin’s Hues, was created by Emma Tasnim, who took third place. Her beautiful print, featuring vibrant blues and intricate patterns, reflected the delicate balance of nature and the need to protect the oceans.
The first-place winner, however, was a young girl named Pema Sherpa, whose print Fading Hope captured the haunting reality of environmental destruction. Her piece, depicting the ocean and forest floors slowly fading away, evoked a powerful sense of urgency about climate change. Pema, only 9 years old, had managed to encapsulate the idea of fading natural beauty in such a profound and moving way that it left viewers reflecting on their own responsibility toward the environment.
The exhibition of the artwork at Piccadilly Circus was the culmination of months of work, but for Muiz, the experience was far more than just a personal triumph. It was a reminder of the power of youth in shaping the future of the planet. “This competition is really important because it gives young people a chance to speak up about what they care about,” Muiz said. “And we all care about the environment. We want to make a difference.”
For Muiz, the thrill of seeing his artwork displayed on such a grand stage had come with a newfound sense of purpose. He understood now that his voice, even as a child, mattered in the fight against climate change. The chance to raise awareness through art was just the beginning, and Muiz was determined to continue making his voice heard.
As the crowd dispersed and the glow of the digital screens faded, Muiz’s mind raced with thoughts of the future. He knew that the journey didn’t end with this prize. There was still so much more to do. With his No Fly Zone print, he had begun to make a mark, but there were more stories to tell, more causes to fight for, and more ways to inspire others to take action.
In a world that often feels overwhelmed by the enormity of global issues, young voices like Muiz’s remind us that change can begin with a single spark—a spark that, when fueled by passion and purpose, can light up the world.
