Open Call for Exhibition: The Aesthetics of Ambiguity

Exhibition Dates: 16–22 June 2026
Location: Three Rooms Gallery, London

Between the certainty of defined borders and the vastness of interconnected life lies a fertile space of ambiguity, where identities shift, boundaries blur, and ecosystems unfold in complexity.

Inspired by The Aesthetics of Ambiguity: Understanding and Addressing Monoculture (Pascal Gielen & Nav Haq), this exhibition invites artists to explore the in-between: a space that resists fixed definitions and challenges monocultural thinking in both society and our relationship with the natural world.

We invite artists whose work dwells in this delicate tension, engaging with pluralities of identity, culture, and ecology, to be part of a collective exhibition in London.

About the Project
The Aesthetics of Ambiguity, curated and developed by IOAEA, aims to challenge dominant monocultural frameworks and their limitations. It explores how art, culture, and ecology intersect in ways that both divide and connect, proposing ambiguity as a necessary space for rethinking identity, coexistence, and complexity beyond rigid binaries.

Who can apply:
London-based artists working in any medium, at any career stage, that work within this environmental, social and political consciousness. 

What we’re looking for:

• Works engaging with fluid or plural identities

• Cross-cultural or hybrid practices

• Ecological or more-than-human perspectives

• Approaches that resist singular narratives or fixed categories

What’s included:

• A week-long exhibition at Three Rooms Gallery, London

• Professional documentation of the exhibition

• Inclusion in a digital catalogue

Fee Structure:

• Submission fee: None

• Standard selection fee: €150

• Artists at risk: Fee waiver available upon application

• For Artists at Risk: IOAEA supports artists facing persecution, censorship, or displacement. We offer complete fee exemption and prioritized consideration for those needing platform visibility for safety or career preservation.

For comprehensive details regarding our initiatives, examples of featured artists, and our curatorial style, we encourage you to visit our official website.

About IOAEA
IOAEA (Insights of an Eco Artist) is a transdisciplinary platform founded in 2021 by Joana Alarcão. Based in Portugal, it operates as a digital and curatorial space connecting artists, researchers, and activists working at the intersection of art, ecology, and social justice. IOAEA has previously organized exhibitions in Lisbon and London, fostering dialogue and collaboration across disciplines and geographies.

Submission guidelines:

• Up to 5 works (or proposals)

• Short artist statement (max. 300 words)

• Brief bio

• Portfolio or links

Timelines:

The exhibition runs June 16 - June 22, 2026

Artists' Reception: June 16, 6 pm, 2026

Deadline for Entries: May 31, 2026