We are seeking artworks concerned with human relationships to water and rivers; what water means to us; how this interacts with how we protect, use, or abuse it. This could include arts that engage with the Anthropocene or the More-than-human or Post Human, Ecologically engaged art, Hydro Feminisms, participatory or community arts.

Open call (Confluences: Water and People)

Exhibition venue: Newcastle Arts Centre

Dates: 22nd March 2024 - 12th April 2024

We are seeking artworks concerned with human relationships to water and rivers; what water means to us; how this interacts with how we protect, use, or abuse it. This could include arts that engage with the Anthropocene or the More-than-human or Post Human, Ecologically engaged art, Hydro Feminisms, participatory or community arts.

These works will be exhibited alongside creative outputs from participatory and community-focused research from the GCRF Water Security and Sustainable Development Hub by partners in Colombia, Ethiopia, India, and Malaysia. The exhibition will take place at Newcastle Art Centre in March-April 2024 and will be accompanied by workshops and events supported by Newcastle University bringing together academics and artists to discuss the material, social, cultural and political aspects of our relationship with water.

Some topics you might want to address:

• Values and relationships that connect humans and water

• Highlighting the often overlooked aspects of water systems

• Ways of seeing, experiencing and representing water

• How people relate to water, environmental justice, and the climate crisis  

• How we communicate about water and whose voices are heard

We are particularly keen to hear from artists whose work connects with the River Tyne, its tributaries, people and landscapes, and those who are working in the North East of England (though this is not essential). We will consider work in any media based on the work’s fit with the theme, but please be aware that there is no additional budget for transportation, insurance and installation of artworks beyond the artists' fee. 

We are happy to consider work that already exists or proposals for new work. The main exhibition will be held in the gallery of the Newcastle Art Centre, but the venue also has exhibition space in its café and a small exterior courtyard, which could be used for installation of appropriate works.

Specifications:

• Open to 2D or 3D pieces in a range of media including but not limited to - painting, printmaking, works on paper, sculpture.

• 2D - Maximum dimensions - A0.

• 3D - Maximum dimensions for indoor work - plinth? Maximum dimensions for work suitable for outdoor display - TBD in consultation with the venue.

We can offer:

• Artists’ fee £500 for the loan and exhibition of selected artworks (this includes production of the work, ready to display, and transport to the venue).

For more information on the Water Security and Sustainable Development Hub please see: https://www.watersecurityhub.org/