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SWANFALL ART

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THE OPEN CALL


ROAR - Rhapsody of August Riot 

SWANFALL ANNUAL EXHIBITION 2026

24 - 29 August 2026 | Mall Galleries, London

OPEN CALL INVITATION 

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SWANFALL returns to London's Mall Galleries in August 2026 with the latest edition of its annual exhibition, ROAR: Rhapsody of August Riot

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Artists and creators shape culture as profoundly as scientists shape knowledge. If science expands the frontier of what humanity can know, creative practice expands the frontier of what humanity can become. Artists do not simply produce images, objects, sounds, texts, or gestures. They shape atmosphere, sensibility, ritual, style, public feeling, and collective aspiration. They influence how a culture sees itself and what futures it can imagine

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Creative practice today unfolds under mounting pressure: speed, competition, constant exposure, and the demand to be immediately legible. Artists and creators are increasingly asked not only to make, but to explain, justify, package, and perform. Under such conditions, work can easily be narrowed by expectation or flattened by format. ROAR is grounded in the belief that freedom remains one of the essential conditions of serious creative practice: the freedom to take risks, follow instinct, test new forms, and pursue ideas not yet fully resolved. Equally important is joy - not as the opposite of seriousness, but as one of its driving forces. In a climate often defined by fatigue, sameness, and anxiety, joy becomes a way to resist reduction and remain open to possibility. This is the spirit in which ROAR takes its name: a collective surge of creative energy that is expansive, instinctive, passionate, and alive with encounter

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At its core, ROAR remains rooted in contemporary art. Yet contemporary culture is no longer shaped by a single discipline. Artists, designers, filmmakers, publishers, and creative practitioners increasingly operate across overlapping territories, contributing to the images, objects, stories, sounds, and experiences that define how we see and inhabit the world today. For the 2026 edition, the annual open call expands beyond visual arts, welcoming submissions from a wider spectrum of contemporary creative practices, including design, sound, moving image, text, performance, and interdisciplinary cultural production. This expansion also marks the launch of Art +, an expanded curatorial dialogue inviting broader conversations between contemporary art and wider creative culture

 

The title Rhapsody of August Riot is a celebration of creative exuberance at full volume - a surge of passion, imagination and collective energy that refuses restraint. ROAR evokes the spirit of a carnival in full bloom: vibrant, unruly, joyful and alive with possibility. Like a rhapsody, it unfolds through rhythm, contrast and unexpected encounters, bringing together diverse voices, disciplines and communities in a shared moment of creative release. It is an invitation to create boldly, connect freely and revel in the intensity of ideas flourishing until their very last, most radiant flourish

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By expanding the annual project while remaining committed to artistic excellence, ROAR reflects SWANFALL's continuing interest in contemporary culture as a living, evolving field of exchange. We invite practitioners across disciplines to join us

BENEFITS AND AWARDS

 

CURATORS' CHOICE AWARD

The Curators' Choice Award is designed to provide structural, curatorial, and market-driven support to help build a sustainable artistic career.

Award benefits include:

  • One-month residency opportunity in London*

  • Fully supported solo presentation, exhibition or special project with SWANFALL

  • Curatorial, promotional and sales support

  • International media coverage, interviews and editorial features

  • Priority consideration for future international exhibitions and art fair opportunities

  • Formal invitation to join the SWANFALL GALLERY artist roster*

 

*Note: The recipient of the Curators’ Choice Award will be offered a representation contract with SWANFALL GALLERY, granting access to long-term professional support. For reference, the Gallery usually allocate £3,000 - £10,000 per year (non-cash) per artist for artist development. This non-cash allocation is used for exhibitions, fair participation, artist features, content production, marketing and promotion and discretional gallery acquisitions.

 

THE AUDIENCE CHOICE AWARD

The Audience Choice Award is selected based on audience and collector responses gathered during the exhibition period, including feedback from guided tours and visitor engagement data. This award recognises works that generate strong public resonance and emotional connection.

Award benefits include:​

  • Participation in a fully sponsored, curated group exhibition

  • Featured article or artist interview (www.swanfall.art)

  • Ongoing promotional support

  • One-to-one professional development consultation

  • Dedicated artist profile on (www.swanfall.art)

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ALL EXHIBITING ARTISTS

  • All selected participants will benefit from professional exhibition opportunities, curatorial visibility and access to a wider network of collectors, cultural professionals and creative communities

  • Official exhibition certificate

  • Virtual exhibition tour hosted on www.swanfall.art (minimum 1-year listing) 

  • Networking opportunities with collectors, curators, designers and cultural professionals

  • Consideration for editorial coverage within CURIOSO, SWANFALL's forthcoming pan-cultural magazine 

  • Feature on the official exhibition page and media showcase

  • Artwork and project sales support

  • Priority consideration for future SWANFALL exhibitions and curatorial projects

SUBMISSION GUIDELINES 

THEME: ROAR is an open curatorial proposition rather than a narrow subject. It invites diverse responses across disciplines and welcomes work that is bold in spirit, distinct in voice, and alive with intensity, freedom, vitality, and imaginative force.

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We invite artists, designers, makers, performers, and creative practitioners to submit works across the following categories, including but not limited to:

  • Visual Arts include painting, drawing, printmaking, sculpture, installation, mixed media, ceramics, illustration, and animation

  • Design includes graphic design, furniture design/manufacturing, metal work, decorative jewellery, glass work or textiles

  • Digital and Media Arts includes digital art, short films, experimental film, AI-generated art, virtual reality (VR), and augmented reality (AR)

  • Performance and Live Arts includes dance and performance art, variety, cabaret, pantomime, circus, puppetry, and visual theatre

  • Sound and Music includes music composition, sound installations, and live sound performance

  • Publications, Artist Books and Printed Matter include artist books, zines, independent publications, printed matter, poetry, experimental writing, and other publication-based practices

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* If individuals from these fields wish to explore broader collaboration opportunities, please visit our Cultural Partner section for further details.

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1. SUBMISSION LINK

https://swanfall.typeform.com/hearmeroar

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2. MEDIA AND SIZE

  • All media are welcome

  • Wall-mounted works: maximum side length 1.5m

  • Large sculptures or installations: maximum height 2m

 

3. DEADLINES

Early Bird Deadline: 15 July 2026

Deadline: 10 August 2026

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4. BEFORE YOU APPLY

Before completing the application form, please prepare the following

  • Your Artist Biography

  • Images of your work (JPG, JPEG, or PNG) and work details: title, year, medium, dimensions, and price

  • Or a complete portfolio in PDF format (may include multiple works, file size limit 10MB)

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​5. SUBMISSION OPTIONS

We welcome artists at all stages and practices. You may choose one of the following routes to share your work:

Option 1: Image Submission

  • Submit up to 3 works for consideration

  • Recommended for artists presenting a clear concept, focused project, or small series. A cohesive set of related works may be considered as one

Option 2: Full Portfolio Entry

  • Submit your full portfolio for a comprehensive curatorial review

  • This option allows our team to engage with your broader practice and select the works that most resonate with the exhibition theme. Ideal for artists working across multiple series, experimenting with various media, or wishing to share the depth and range of their creative vision.

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6. ADMISSIONS

Selected artists may be invited to exhibit up to three works, depending on conceptual coherence and curatorial alignment.

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7. FEES AND PAYMENT

To ensure a fair and rigorous selection process, and to support the professional presentation and promotion of selected artists, a modest submission fee is required:

  • Single work submission: £15

  • Full portfolio (unlimited works): £55 (Early Bird) / £65 (Regular)

  • Fees are payable online at the time of submission. Please note that all payments are non-refundable and do not guarantee selection

  • All submitting artists will receive a digital Artist Career Guidebook as a gesture of appreciation and professional support

  • Selected artists will be notified by email within five working days after the each deadline​s, no additional fees apply for participation in the exhibition.

  • Artwork sales commission: 35%

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8. ARTIST GENERAL RESPONSIBILITIES

  • All submitted works must be original and created by the artist;

  • If selected, artists are responsible for delivering their works to the specified address within the timeframe outlined in the confirmation email;

  • All artworks should arrive ready for professional installation. Works on paper must be framed unless otherwise agreed;

  • Artists are responsible for the transportation, insurance, and any customs procedures related to their artworks during shipping and the exhibition period;

  • If offered for sale, artworks should be priced consistently with the artist’s market value. To maintain pricing integrity, artists need to ensure the listed price reflects a universal retail price across platforms and includes applicable commission;

  • Artists based outside the UK may need to register for Value Added Tax (VAT) for the purpose of selling or exhibiting works. For more information, please refer to https://www.gov.uk


9. TERMS AND CONDITIONS
For the complete terms and conditions, please visit www.swanfall.art/termsandconditions

EXPANDED CURATORIAL DIALOGUE: ART + 

INVITATION TO CULTURAL PARTNERS

As part of ROAR, we invite cultural partners, including but not limited to:  institutions, brands, heritage ateliers, publishers, creative studios, cultural organisations, performance groups, designers, wearable brands, researchers, and other creative entities, whose work resonates with the exhibition’s broader themes.

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Potential Collaboration Formats​

  • Talks, Panels and Public Discussions

  • Workshops, Masterclasses and Educational Activities

  • Performance Programmes and Live Interventions

  • Runway Presentations and Fashion Activations

  • Film Screenings and Moving Image Programmes

  • Immersive Brand or Cultural Environments

  • Editorial and Publishing Collaborations

  • Limited Edition Product Collaborations

  • Retail and Curated Object Presentations

 

How to Apply

All partnerships are developed individually and curated specifically for the exhibition. If you would like to discuss a potential collaboration, please submit a PDF proposal outlining your organisation, project, proposal, or area of interest.

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Following your enquiry, the curatorial team will arrange an initial conversation to discuss the proposed collaboration. If the proposal is considered a suitable fit for ROAR, a tailored partnership proposal will be provided, outlining potential opportunities, requirements, timelines, and any applicable partnership contributions.

 

For partnership enquiries: hello@swanfall.art

Please include：ROAR 2026 Cultural Partner – [Brand / Organisation / Project Name] in the subject line of your email.

MALL GALLERIES

 

Following the success of its previous annual exhibitions, including Through the Looking Glass and Fables, SWANFALL returns to Mall Galleries in 2026 to present its latest annual project, ROAR: Rhapsody of August Riot

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Located between Buckingham Palace and Trafalgar Square, adjacent to St James’s Park, the Mall Galleries sits at the heart of London’s cultural and historic district. As one of the UK’s most established exhibition venues, it offers an exceptional setting for a project that brings contemporary art into dialogue with wider creative practices

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Mall Galleries is managed and operated by the Federation of British Artists (FBA), an institution dedicated to supporting professional art practice and public cultural engagement. With over 450 square metres of exhibition space and professional gallery facilities, the venue regularly hosts exhibitions, art fairs, auctions and cultural events

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For ROAR’s 2026 Carnival Edition, the venue provides a distinctive setting for an expanded annual project, bringing together visual arts, design, fashion, moving image, publishing, performance and cultural collaborations within one shared environment

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Curated and organised by SWANFALL ART with the professional support of the Federation of British Artists, ROAR continues the MALL Galleries’ commitment to presenting ambitious contemporary practices while opening new possibilities for cross-disciplinary exchange

ABOUT US

 

SWANFALL ART is the curatorial and artist development division of SWANFALL, a London-based contemporary art platform dedicated to curatorial production, artist representation, art advisory, and secondary market transactions. Our core mission is to foster an open, diverse, and transnational platform that supports intellectually rigorous and experimentally driven artistic practices

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As the commercial exhibitions branch of SWANFALL, SWANFALL GALLERY represents a select roster of artists and presents their work through international art fairs and private sales. The synergy between curatorial vision and market structure enables us to enhance academic visibility while supporting the sustainable growth of our artists’ careers

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By integrating curatorial strategy with a commercial framework, SWANFALL offers a comprehensive support system committed to building bridges between cultural value, market potential and public engagement. This commitment will be further extended through CURIOSO, SWANFALL’s forthcoming pan-cultural magazine, which will create new editorial opportunities for artists, designers, brands and cultural practitioners across contemporary creative fields

FAQs

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Q1. What are the selection criteria?
Submissions are evaluated based on concept, execution, and presentation. We look for strong ideas, thoughtful use of medium, quality of craftsmanship or production, and the ability to engage audiences through visual, spatial, performative, or experiential means. The applicant's background is not a primary consideration - submissions are welcome at all career stages. To better understand our curatorial direction, you may view previously selected works.

 

Please find our past exhibitions HERE.

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Q2. How are prizes selected?
Prizes recognise the strength of an artist’s overall practice rather than a single submitted work. Key considerations include conceptual clarity, strength of expression, quality of presentation, sustainability of practice, and long-term potential.

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Q3. Are collaborative submissions allowed?
Yes. Duo and group submissions are welcome. Please appoint a lead contact and provide full details for all contributors.

 

Q4. Can works be sold? What is the commission?
Yes. Participants may choose to make works available for sale. A 35% commission applies to all sales facilitated through the exhibition. For editions, design objects, publications, or other commercial works, additional details may be discussed individually where appropriate.

 

Q5. How will I know if I’m selected?

Notifications will be sent via email:

  • Early submissions: by 20 July 2026

  • Final submissions: by 15 August 2026

Please check your spam folders to avoid missing updates

 

Q6: If I am selected, how do I deliver my work?

If you are selected, we will provide you with detailed logistical guidelines and the exact delivery address. Please note that artists are responsible for arranging and covering the costs of transporting their work safely to the venue. Detailed instructions will be confirmed with you upon selection.

 

Q7. Will I receive feedback if I’m not selected?

Due to the high volume of submissions, we’re unable to provide individual feedback. However, all applicants will receive a free PDF Artist Career Guide and be invited to join an online professional development seminar (date to be announced).

 

Q8. How should I price my artwork or design work?

Participants are free to set their own prices, taking into account medium, size, edition (if applicable), and their current stage of practice. However, we strongly advise that prices remain consistent across all platforms and markets - whether selling through galleries, online, or directly. This ensures market integrity and protects long-term collector confidence.

 

Please find the Artwork Pricing Guide HERE.

 

Q9. Can this exhibition be considered international experience for visa or academic applications?

Yes. The exhibition will take place physically at Mall Galleries, London. Participating artists will receive an official exhibition certificate and access to a virtual exhibition tour. This exhibition may be considered as part of an artist’s international exhibition record for academic, professional, or cultural applications. However, please note that final recognition is subject to the specific requirements and evaluation criteria of the relevant institutions or visa authorities.

 

Q10. Do I need to attend in person?

No. International participants are welcome to participate remotely. Detailed delivery, collection, installation, and technical guidelines will be provided to all selected exhibitors. For performance-based, time-based, or site-specific projects, individual arrangements may be discussed with the curatorial team.

 

Q11. I am a designer, brand, creative studio, university, or cultural organisation. Should I apply through the Open Call Submission?

If you wish to exhibit work only, you may apply through the Open Call Submission. 

If you are interested in broader collaboration opportunities, such as partnerships, sponsorships, workshops, talks, screenings, runway shows, immersive installations, brand activations, educational programmes, or cultural exchanges, please visit our Cultural Partner section.

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