Online | 36th Annual Open Exhibition

2 Dec 2020-31 Jan 2021

Overview

This much-loved show usually receives around 250 entries but this year the response has seen an explosion in entries with over 900 artworks by artists of all backgrounds from across the UK. The pandemic means that this year the exhibition has gone online; as usual, all artworks are for sale and super affordable, with prices starting at just £21.

Every submission is shown in this democratic and inclusive event, which provides equal access to sales opportunities for artists of all disciplines, at all stages of their careers; we all show together.

Because this year the Open has gone digital – the always-low submission fees have been waived to encourage as many artists living and working in the UK to show their work and raise some much needed income before the holidays. The response to this shift in format has been extraordinary and is set to provide the best platform yet to showcase hundreds of artists.

What began as a local cultural phenomenon has now become a vast national manifesto of a show. Work of all mediums is included by artists from all four corners of the UK including Scotland, Hull, Liverpool and London.

Southwark Park Galleries hope that this year’s Open will support these artists to promote their work and raise some much needed income. A small percentage of all sales also directly supports the Galleries’ own charitable organisation to keep them open and free to the public.

With thanks to sponsors Breckman & Company for providing a ‘Best in Show’ prize of £500 to Dominic Watson for his video, Fleshy Eaters, selected by Welsh artist Bedwyr Williams (in advance of his major touring commission at Southwark Park  Galleries and across Wales in 2021-22).

The Open was the catalyst for the galleries founding back in 1984, and to this day is a key date in the calendar for artists across London and indeed the country to all get involved in a major salon show where every single submission is accepted.