Call for Art Exhibition

The theme

We invite artists to look beyond nostalgia and consider revival as an act of reclamation, renewal and transformation.

What does it mean to remember who we are? What have we inherited, and what have we lost? What should be reclaimed, reinterpreted or reimagined? How can ancestral knowledge speak to the realities of today and inspire the Africa of tomorrow?

Through The Revival, we seek works that explore the intersection of culture, heritage and spirituality, while reflecting on identity, ancestry, memory, resilience, belonging and the evolving meaning of being African.

We are looking for works that

• Reinterpret African cultural traditions and heritage through contemporary perspectives.
• Explore ancestral memory, spirituality and indigenous knowledge.
• Examine identity, belonging and the African experience.
• Reflect on histories of displacement, colonialism, cultural loss and reclamation.
• Reimagine traditional symbols, narratives and practices.
• Explore the relationship between the ancestral, the contemporary and the future.
• Envision an Africa that is confident in its history while creating new possibilities.
• Challenge, expand or complicate conventional ideas of African art and identity.

The Revival is not about returning to a frozen past. It is about awakening what remains alive within us, and transforming inheritance into possibility. Because revival begins with remembering. And perhaps, through art, remembering becomes a way of becoming.

We remember. We reclaim. We reimagine. We rise.

Submission requirements

Artists may submit up to 3 artworks. Works may be existing pieces or new works created specifically in response to the theme. Each submission must include:

1. 1

   Artist statement: 150–250 words

   Briefly describe your artistic practice and how your submitted work(s) relate to The Revival theme.

2. 2

   Artwork statement: 100–200 words per work

   Explain the concept, inspiration, cultural or personal context, and ideas explored in each submitted artwork.

3. 3

   Artwork images

   3–5 high-resolution images per artwork where applicable. Images must be clear, well lit and free from distracting backgrounds or watermarks. For video, performance or time-based work, provide a private viewing link.

4. 4

   Artwork details

   For each submitted work:

   • Artist's name
   • Title of artwork
   • Year of creation
   • Medium / materials
   • Dimensions
   • Edition number, if applicable
   • Duration, for video / performance works
   • Selling price, if the work is available for sale
   • Installation requirements, if applicable
5. 5

   Artist biography: 100–150 words

6. 6

   Artist CV / portfolio

   Include relevant exhibitions, residencies, awards, education, collections or other professional experience where applicable.

7. 7

   Contact information

   • Full name
   • Email address
   • Telephone / WhatsApp number
   • City and country of residence
   • Website or social media / portfolio link, if available

Eligibility

The open call is open to emerging, mid-career and established artists, including artists working within Africa and the African diaspora.

There is no restriction on medium, provided the work can be appropriately presented within the exhibition context. Artists from diverse cultural, geographical and artistic backgrounds are encouraged to apply.

Selection criteria

• Conceptual relevance to The Revival
• Originality and artistic vision
• Strength of artistic practice
• Depth of engagement with culture, heritage and/or spirituality
• Quality of execution
• Contemporary relevance
• Potential contribution to the overall exhibition narrative

Selection will be made by the curatorial / exhibition team, and all decisions will be final.

Important information

• Artists may submit a maximum of 3 works.
• All submitted information must be accurate and complete.
• Submitted images must represent the actual artwork being proposed.
• Selected artists may be asked to provide additional high-resolution images, documentation or installation specifications.
• Artists are responsible for ensuring that their work is properly prepared and available for exhibition by the stated delivery deadline.
• Any special installation, technical or conservation requirements must be clearly stated at the time of submission.
• Selected artists will receive a formal confirmation outlining exhibition, delivery, installation and collection requirements.
• No entry / submission fee.
• No payment arrangements.

The invitation

The Revival is more than an exhibition. It is a conversation across generations: a space where memory meets imagination, where ancestral knowledge encounters contemporary expression, and where artists can contribute to a broader vision of an African Renaissance.

We invite you to bring forward the stories that live within you. What does Africa remember? What is Africa reclaiming? What is Africa becoming?

Bring us your vision. The Revival. Culture. Heritage. Spirituality. An African Renaissance.