We’re inviting artists aged 18 and over to apply to present a high-impact artwork as part of the third season of The Gallery.
THEME: No But Where Are You Really From?
The Gallery exhibits contemporary art in public space to stimulate debate about the important questions of our time. Continuing this mission, we invite artists from around the world to respond to the theme:
No But Where Are You Really From?
We live in a globalised world of international travel and mass migration. Over the centuries peoples, animals, plants and pathogens have continuously crisscrossed the Earth’s oceans and continents. So, what part does place still play in identity?
The Gallery’s Season 3 theme encourages artists to ask timely questions about origin, inclusivity, belonging, transition and exchange. The theme also invites artists to consider what it feels like to be excluded or denied on the one hand, and accepted and embraced on the other.
“I can’t count the number of times I’ve been asked where I’m really from, so I know first-hand how relevant this season’s theme still is today.”
Bakul Pakti, Guest Curator, The Gallery
The 10 selected proposals will be reproduced at scale and displayed for millions to see in public sites traditionally reserved for advertising across England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales. This is an opportunity for artistic exposure on a grand scale and to be part of the national debate.
Founded in 2022, The Gallery exhibits on street billboards, digital screens, bus shelters and cinemas. To date the artworks have been seen over 120 million times by people across the UK.
Produced by Artichoke and conceived in collaboration with Creative Director and public artist MartinFirrell, this major project is supported by the Out-of-Home* industry.
*The term Out-of-Home refers to any visual advertising media found outside of the home, including on-street billboards, digital screens, bus-shelters and train stations.
What you get
Artists will be supported to develop and adapt their work for outdoor presentation. They will also receive ongoing mentoring and advice during the process.
All artists receive:
- A fee of £2,000
- Support from Creative Director Martin Firrell
- Support from our exhibition Guest Curator Bakul Patki
- An international platform to exhibit work including through the dedicated website at thegallery.org.uk
- The services of a designer to format the artwork for digital and print if required
- Costs of production, mounting, and leasing of the advertising spaces
- Selected photographic documentation of the artwork displayed outdoors
- Scheduled online meet-ups with fellow contributing artists and team
- Participation in online discussion regarding making art for the public realm
- Invitation to exhibition launch in September 2023. If based in the UK, standard travel and one night’s accommodation will be included. For artists based outside of the UK, a travel stipend of £200 towards any/all travel expenses, including visa fees and one night’s accommodation is included.
- For those based outside the UK, Artichoke will explore additional means of support towards travel costs where possible (e.g from Embassies, Trusts and Foundations).
Deadline: 23:59 BST, Sunday 23 April 2023
website: Open Call – The Gallery