Exhibition & Commission Open Calls Opportunities

THE PROPOSALS

Pink-collar Gallery's upcoming 2025 exhibition series at Hills Art Centre promises to delve deeply into themes of activism, underrepresentation, and social equality through the lenses of Environment, Community, Neurodivergence, and LGBTQIA+. Each theme will bring together diverse artists whose work engages with both personal and communal stories, focusing on issues central to the gallery's activist ethos. Here's a closer look at each exhibition theme:

Exhibition Theme 1: Environment

• Concept: This exhibition highlights environmental activism within the art world, showcasing artists who prioritise sustainability by incorporating recycled and eco-friendly materials into their work. These creators can address urgent topics like climate change, resource conservation, and ecological preservation, presenting art that reflects the fragility and future of our planet.
• Focus: The exhibit encourages viewers to reflect on their own environmental impact, featuring pieces that go beyond depicting issues to actively engage audiences in conversations about sustainability. The works challenge viewers to understand that each choice we make—whether in art or everyday life—contributes to our shared ecological footprint.

• Sculptures, installations, and mixed-media pieces: Crafted from recycled or reclaimed materials, these artworks will serve as visual prompts for discussions around waste, reuse, and environmental responsibility.
• Eco-conscious art that merges activism with creativity: Submissions that blend artistic expression with environmental advocacy, demonstrating how creative practices can embody and inspire sustainable choices.
• Interactive elements: Pieces that involve the audience directly, encouraging them to reflect on their individual impact on the environment and offering practical insights or inspiration for reducing their ecological footprint.

Exhibition Theme 2: Community

• Concept: This exhibit celebrates the strength and importance of community, showcasing how art can foster collective identity, resilience, and a deep sense of belonging. Through the work of artists who tap into the unifying power of art, the exhibition underscores the bonds forged within local communities, the resilience that arises from shared struggles, and the diverse voices that enrich communal life.
• Focus: Artworks will emphasise community narratives, centring on the social and cultural stories that shape collective identities. Through themes of grassroots activism, social challenges, and shared heritage, the pieces will reflect the unique experiences of local communities and collaborative projects that unite them.

 Possible Submissions:

• Installations by community groups: Works created by charity groups, women’s groups, youth clubs, or other local collectives that come together in community settings to create art collaboratively. These installations will represent the process of working together, learning, and growing as a group.
• Documentary photography and video: Capturing real-life community moments—from gatherings and celebrations to scenes of resilience and solidarity. These submissions offer raw and authentic glimpses into the day-to-day life of communities, preserving genuine expressions of connection.
• Collaborative and participatory projects: Art that combines activism with engagement, inviting viewers to reflect on their own roles in community building, support, and sustainability. These projects encourage active involvement, creating an experience that extends beyond the gallery walls.

Exhibition Theme 3: Neurodivergence

•  Concept: This exhibition centres on the experiences and perspectives of neurodivergent individuals, using creativity as a medium to explore, express, and celebrate neurodiversity. The show aims to dismantle misconceptions, showcasing the richness that neurodivergent artists bring to the arts.
• Focus: The works in this exhibition will highlight the intersection of creativity and mental health, advocating for acceptance, visibility, and understanding of neurodiverse voices in the arts. Through various artistic expressions, the exhibition will challenge stereotypes and provide an authentic look into the unique ways neurodivergent individuals engage with the world.

Possible Submissions:

•  Paintings, multimedia works, and installations: Submissions that break traditional norms, presenting diverse cognitive processes and unique sensory perspectives.
• Works that challenge stereotypes: Pieces that confront misconceptions surrounding neurodivergence, revealing the depth, strength, and complexity of neurodiverse minds.
• Celebrations of cognitive diversity: Art that illustrates the distinctive ways neurodivergent individuals experience and interpret their surroundings, offering insights into alternative modes of perception and thought.