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. Past judges include Shape Open patron Yinka Shonibare CBE and Shape artist Christopher Samuel.

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 top and bottom of this page.

Back to Shape Open

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Banner Image: A portrait photograph of a terracotta plant pot with pink flowers growing out of it. The garden behind it is hazy and blurred. Bordering the two portrait edges are two stripes of bright green. Along the bottom of the image in white text is the closed.