The Unfinished​​​​​

– Open Call for Artists

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Deadline: 11 November 2026

Exhibition Dates: 1-20 December  2026

 

SUBMISSIONS NOW OPEN!

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CISTA ARTS invites artists worldwide to submit work for The Unfinished, an international online group exhibition taking place in December 2026.

Exploring what remains unresolved, what continues to change, and what is yet to come, the exhibition welcomes diverse artistic interpretations of incompleteness, uncertainty, transformation, growth and possibility.

Artists working across all contemporary art forms are encouraged to apply. Submitted artworks do not need to be physically unfinished or newly created.

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– Exhibition Theme

 

The Unfinished

What remains unfinished, what is still changing, and what is yet to come?

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Not everything reaches a clear conclusion. Some stories remain untold, some questions unanswered, and some experiences continue to shape us long after they have passed. In art, as in life, the unfinished can be a source of uncertainty, possibility, imagination and change.

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The Unfinished invites artists to explore the many meanings of incompleteness, from personal experiences and unresolved emotions to evolving identities, changing landscapes, unfinished histories and imagined futures.

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The exhibition welcomes diverse interpretations of the theme, including works that engage with transformation, uncertainty, interruption, imperfection, growth, experimentation, absence, anticipation and the spaces between beginnings and endings.

An artwork does not need to be physically unfinished to participate. We are interested in how artists interpret the idea through their subjects, materials, processes and individual perspectives.

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CISTA ARTS welcomes submissions from artists worldwide, working across painting, photography, sculpture, drawing, mixed media, digital art, video, installation and other contemporary artistic practices.

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We look forward to receiving your inspiring contributions.

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– Submission Guidelines

 

Deadline: 11 November2026

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We are keen to learn about you! Please send us the following information, along with a sample of your work and an up-to-date CV:

• Contact information (full name, email, mobile)

• Details of the artworks (title, size, medium, year, price)

• Artist statement (max 100 words on how your work relates to the theme)

• Short biography (max 100 words, third-person)

• Up to 4 sample images of your work

Please note: Only two artworks per artist will be selected for exhibition.

​Please send your email to info@cistaarts.com and quote ‘Unfinished' in the subject field.

Or apply via CuratorSpace.

 

– Selected Participants Will Receive:​

• Exhibition of your work on the CISTA ARTS online platform.

• The exhibition will launch in December 2026.

• We will publish a professionally produced paperback catalogue of the exhibition in the UK.

• You will receive a complimentary PDF copy of the exhibition catalogue.

• If your work sells, Cista Arts will take no commission.

• Your work will be featured in our daily social media posts titled 'Meet the Artist' during the exhibition.

• The exhibition will be prominently displayed on our homepage during the exhibition period and will later be archived on the 'Past Exhibitions' page.

• We will tag you in our social media posts, and your website or social media account will be linked to your artworks on our exhibition page. This ensures ongoing promotion for all participating artists during and after the exhibition.

• You will receive a certificate of participation.

 

Apply to this exhibition opportunity is free, if your work is accepted, there will be a £30 fee for one accepted artwork and a £50 fee for two accepted artworks. 

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– PARTICIPATION BENEFITS:
Selected artists will have their work exhibited online for the full month on our homepage, included in a professionally produced printed and digital exhibition catalogue, featured in daily social media promotion under our ‘Meet the Artist’ series, and receive a certificate of participation. CISTA ARTS takes no commission on sales.

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For more information, please get in touch with us at info@cistaarts.com