The invitation is for artists of all ages to submit work as part of a ground-breaking public art initiative. The art is meant to be reproduced at scale and to be seen in public spaces across the UK.
This UK community is building a new and ambitious cultural institution without walls. It generates a conversation through art about the important questions in politics. Produced by Artichoke, this is a collaboration with artist Martin Firrell, and its initiative is supported by the Out-of-Home* industry.
The theme for the first exhibition is challenging “Straight White Male“.
– What does it mean to be straight, white, and male in 2022?
– How does this statement make you feel? Do you relate in any way with the theme, and if so, what would you like to say about that?
– Alternatively, does the theme sit uneasily with you and how would you challenge it?
-And how do you see a straight white man today if you are a black artist? Depending on the area of living are those straight white men rare today? Many straight, single women today ask the question, could it be that today straight men are very hard to meet in our modern society? What does it mean to be white and straight in modern society? Does the community of straights have to include having a family and children? What if this is not wanted or possible? Gender today is the distinguishing factor. In that sense, the group is diverse in the most minimalist sense possible. Also, the sexuality issue is a very distinguished issue, not to mention the other aspects. How one person cannot be the bearer of diversity without a counterpart? How a man cannot be a diverse person by himself. And how is the woman the “diverse person” and maybe not or otherwise, the man? The straight white men are the diverse group – as the man is part of the diverse group just as much as the woman. White men if it is a “nondiverse” enhance a self-image as being outside the diverse society. It alienates the group from the topic and makes them believe that they do not have any role in issues of diversity. If so, it promotes white masculine heteronormative structures in which straight white men are perceived to be the norm.
The organization has the aim of commissioning 9 artists working in varying mediums and from diverse backgrounds with widely differing views about the central theme.
Prize summary:
£2,000 fee
Artichoke is approximately looking for 20-30 artists that will feature in Digital Program artwork that will be showcased on the project website and digital channels.
The deadline is 15/April/2022, with no entry fee. Submissions must be proposals for two-dimensional works in any media. It is not limited to photography, painting, drawing, text work, prints, mixed media, and collage.
Prizes Details:
Commissioned artists receive:
• A fee of £2,000
• Support from Creative Director and lead artist Martin Firrell
• Support from our exhibition Curator
• An international platform to exhibit work
• Inclusion in the Digital Programme
• The services of a designer to format your artwork for digital and print
• Costs of production, mounting, and leasing of the advertising spaces
• Photographic documentation of your artwork displayed outdoors
• Scheduled online meet-ups with fellow contributing artists and team
• Participation in an online discussion regarding making art for the public realm
• Invitation to exhibition launch (July 2022) including travel and accommodation
• Introduction to appropriate networks to support future exhibitions and showings of your artwork
If interested, just visit Artichoke’s website, read through, and follow the instructions.
Website: https://www.artichoke.uk.com/call-for-artists-2022
Email: ArtistOpenCall@artichoke.uk.com
https://www.artichoke.uk.com/call-for-artists-2022