What is art in the 21st century? What Makes It Valuable?

The discourse on the nature of art in the 21st century has never been more intriguing.

While some creators remain firmly rooted in the traditions of their craft, others boldly venture into uncharted territories, invoking a constant debate around the central question - What Is Art? What makes it valuable? 

In the modern art world, it’s evident that success doesn’t adhere to a single style or approach.

The diverse paths taken by some of the world’s most renowned and affluent artists underscore the idea that every unique style of art can become valuable.

This exhibition is designed not merely to showcase art but to stimulate conversation between divergent paths within contemporary art.

The aim is to prove that success in the art world is not a monolithic concept but a spectrum of possibilities, each as valid and valuable as the next.

Moreover- The guest of honour for this 8th edition is the globally acclaimed art critic and historian Anthony Fawcett, who will deliver an insightful speech on the exhibition’s theme during the opening event on January 10th.

Anthony Fawcett, a legendary art critic, started his career at Vogue at eighteen and has since made a lasting impact on the art world.

He brought Man Ray to London in 1969, collaborated with John Lennon, Yoko Ono, Andy Warhol, and Charles Saatchi, and created the Beck’s Art Sponsorship Programme.

Fawcett has worked with iconic artists like Francis Bacon, Jean-Michel Basquiat, Tracey Emin and many others.

He also founded Anthony Fawcett Consultants, served on the Whitechapel Art Gallery Development Board, and launched the Vertu Global Art Commission. Currently, he’s working on the “Anthony Fawcett Archive” with Tate Gallery.

Gallery Space

Our gallery is located in the vibrant heart of the iconic Tower Bridge area in London. An elegant blend of historical richness and modern energy, our space serves as an extraordinary platform for artists and audiences alike.

Boomer Gallery is proud to be among the 4,000 global art galleries featured on Artsy, the world's largest community of art collectors.

An exhibition with us is more than just a presence in a famous location and the potential for sales; it's a doorway to the world.

Submission Guidelines

To apply, send us three images of your work (three different pieces), each with its title, size in cm, medium, price, and a short biography of no more than 150 words. 

Eligible media include but are not limited to, paintings, sculptures, photography, installations, prints, textiles, illustrations, digital art, Ai assisted art, poems, etc. 

Application is free, but a £169 fee (including VAT) applies for each selected artist. This fee covers an extensive suite of benefits:

• Printed catalogues, posters, and brochures

• Admin support

• Graphic designer services

• Champagne & caviar at the opening event

• Professional photographer to document the event

• Hostess, security, and bartender services at the opening

• Printing and framing for the artists who opt for that (printing and framing is included in the price). 

Our exhibition catalogues, both digital and printed, are state-of-the-art.

They present the artist's profile in a magazine-like format, making them valuable beyond the exhibition itself.

The catalogue will be permanently displayed on our website and continuously circulated by artists, art collectors, and enthusiasts.

We facilitate direct connections between artists and collectors and do not charge a commission.

Each sale happens directly between the artist and the customer.

If you would like us to broker the sale, a 20% VAT will be applied on top of your initial price so please take that into consideration when pricing your works. 

Printing and Framing Support:

If you're an accepted artist facing difficulties shipping your work to us, you can send us photos of your work.

We'll print and frame them for you at no additional cost. Rest assured, we strive to match the quality of your original artwork as closely as possible.

Frame sizes available:

1. 32 x 32 cm

2. 30 x 40 cm

A frequent question we receive is: how much should I price my prints if I decide to go with that option? We typically price a framed print at £400, but if you have a different price in mind, please let us know. 

Remember, printing and framing are included in the participation fee; you don’t have to pay anything extra.

Important dates:

• Application deadline: 5th January 2025
• Artwork delivery date: 9th January 2025
• Exhibition days: from 10th to the 15th of January 2025
• Opening event on 10th January, from 6:00 to 9:00 pm

Event:

This is a physical exhibition taking place in our iconic gallery space in the Tower Bridge district, London.

Beverages at the event:

Champagne, Cocktails, and Caviar.

Good luck to all entrants!