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  1. Our work
  2. Our creative programme
  3. Shape Open

Shape Open

The Shape Open is our annual exhibition of artwork by disabled and non-disabled artists created in response to a disability-centred theme. Held in high-profile, artist-led spaces such as Bow Arts' Nunnery Gallery, Portobello Gallery, Yinka Shonibare CBE's Guest Projects and our own pop-up galleries, The Open provides a space where disabled and non-disabled artists can discuss and exchange views and ideas about issues and topics which are often sidelined within artistic debate.

Artists are considered and appraised by a panel of arts industry judges, including Shape Open patron Yinka Shonibare CBE.

The Shape Open provides a fantastic platform for disabled artists to show their work. Such exhibitions offer great opportunities for artists to be discovered by institutions and larger audiences.

- Yinka Shonibare CBE

The Shape Open creates an opportunity for emerging and mid-career artists to raise their profile while allowing established artists taking part to show their work alongside new and fresh perspectives that they may not ordinarily encounter.

To stay up-to-date with news, opportunities and events relating to the Shape Open, including the annual call for submissions, sign up to our monthly e-newsletter at the bottom of this page. For any other enquiries about the Open, please email [email protected] or contact 0207 424 7330.


PREVIOUS SHAPE OPEN EXHIBITIONS

Shape Open 2021: All Bound Together?

Shape Open 2021: All Bound Together?

The Shape Open 2021, exhibited critical perspectives on community and isolation from disabled and marginalised creatives as we emerged from lockdown. Read more

Published: 2nd August, 2021

Updated: 21st March, 2022

Author: Eli Hayes

Shape Open 2020: The Future is Loading

Shape Open 2020: The Future is Loading

The Shape Open 2020: The Future is Loading... A digital exhibition creatively produced and curated by Shape Arts. Read more

Published: 5th August, 2020

Author: Emily Roderick

Shape Open 2019

Shape Open 2019

The Shape Open 2019 exhibition, In Circles, asked whether progress for disabled artists is being made. Is our work counterproductive? Can we really shift institutional thinking? Read more

Published: 2nd October, 2019

Updated: 27th February, 2020

Author: eleanor peake

Shape Open Retrospective

Shape Open Retrospective

A retrospective of the past six years of the Shape Open, this exhibition re-examined a selection of key works, considering the history of disability policy and life for disabled people in a welfare state. Read more

Published: 26th November, 2018

Updated: 12th June, 2019

Author: Niamh Hall

Shape Open 2018

Shape Open 2018

Shape Open 2018: 'Collective Influence', what influences you? What power does influence have to provoke change, and what capacity does it have to affect society? Read more

Published: 12th April, 2018

Updated: 12th June, 2019

Author: Lulu Nunn

Shape Open 2017

Shape Open 2017

Shape Open 2017: 'Power: The Politics of Disability', how do we creatively challenge the language of power, politics and disability? To what extent do we need art to be a form of political protest? Read more

Published: 8th February, 2017

Updated: 12th June, 2019

Author: Marcus Gordon

Shape Open 2016

Shape Open 2016

Shape Open 2016: ‘My Life’, artists were asked to express their ideas, drawing on memory, nostalgia and processes of internal reflection. Read more

Published: 2nd June, 2016

Updated: 12th June, 2019

Author: yaz redfern

Shape Open 2014/15

Shape Open 2014/15

Shape Open 2014: '[In]visible', how does impairment affect our visibility within society? Do medical diagnoses, labels and changing definitions help or hinder our understanding of an individual’s lived experience? Read more

Published: 8th November, 2014

Updated: 12th June, 2019

Author: Andrew Cochrane

Shape Open 2013/14

Shape Open 2013/14

Shape Open 2013/14: 'Disability Re-assessed', framed against the backdrop of the 2012 Paralympics celebrations and cultural Olympiad commissioning. Read more

Published: 7th November, 2014

Updated: 12th June, 2019

Author: Andrew Cochrane

Shape Open 2012/13

Shape Open 2012/13

Shape Open 2012/13: 'Disability', our very first Shape Open welcomes work from both disabled and non-disabled artists. With work from abstract to the figurative, the personal to the political. Read more

Published: 13th June, 2012

Updated: 12th June, 2019

Author: yaz redfern

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Showing 10 of 10

Latest

  • Creatives in crisis: 'a new, previously invisible energy’

    Creatives in crisis: 'a new, previously invisible energy’

    First in the series of conversations with artists in crisis situations, such as war. Introducing a season of interventions led by disabled creatives and their projects, bringing in new voices and perspectives on the theme of conflict.

  • How were they made? 'The making of' Empty When Full...

    How were they made? 'The making of' Empty When Full...

    Take a closer look at how the four artists for our online exhibition Empty When Full made their artwork!

  • 'One of the most important pieces of performance': responding to Welter

    'One of the most important pieces of performance': responding to Welter

    Artist Richard James Hall shares his reflections on Victoria Gray's artwork 'Welter,' supported by Shape late last year.

  • Frequently Asked Questions for Shape Open Application

    Frequently Asked Questions for Shape Open Application

Most read

  • Artists' studio spaces in London

    Artists' studio spaces in London

    Links to art studio spaces and facilities in London

  • Social Model of Disability

    Social Model of Disability

  • Breaking the barriers to creative excellence

    Breaking the barriers to creative excellence

    Find out about Shape's philosophy, guiding aims and principles

  • How to Put On an Accessible Exhibition

    How to Put On an Accessible Exhibition

  • Shape Open 2017 - Power: The Politics of Disability

    Shape Open 2017 - Power: The Politics of Disability

    The Shape Open 2017 exhibition – 'Power: The Politics of Disability' - will take place in East London from 19 January to 2 February.

  • Shape Open 2018: Collective Influence

    Shape Open 2018: Collective Influence

    The 2018 Shape Open exhibition – 'Collective Influence' – takes place in East London from 22 March to 5 April

  • Disability Equality Training

    Disability Equality Training

    Improve how your organisation works with disabled people, and become more diverse and inclusive as a result

  • How to get an exhibition

    How to get an exhibition

  • Finding a studio space in London

    Finding a studio space in London

  • Apply to take part in the Shape Open 2022!

    Apply to take part in the Shape Open 2022!

    Applications are open to be part of our upcoming Shape Open exhibition!

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Donate to support Shape's programme

Donate to support Shape's programme

Read more

Donate Fundraise

Published: 12th April, 2021

Updated: 7th April, 2022

Author: Eli Hayes

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Phone: 0207 424 7330

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Shape Arts

Company limited by guarantee registered in England and Wales under number 01468164 and registered as a Charity number 279184

Registered office: Floor 2 Peckham Library, 122 Peckham Hill St, Peckham, London SE15 5JR

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