Behind the Lens: The Open Theme Exhibition 2026 Retrospective & Reviews

The Open Theme Exhibition 2026 brought together a diverse selection of contemporary artists from across the world, presenting works that reflect personal narratives, cultural perspectives, material experimentation, and evolving visual languages. Without thematic restriction, the exhibition invited artists to engage freely with their own processes and concerns.

The result was a multifaceted collection of practices spanning painting, photography, sculpture, textiles, mixed media, digital work, and conceptual exploration. This exhibition documented a moment of international artistic dialogue, one shaped by individuality, geographical diversity, and contemporary experience. Each contribution represented an independent voice while collectively forming a broader reflection on the role of art within an interconnected global landscape.

A Note from Our Curator:

Celebrating Community in London To be completely honest, our team at No. 35 Gallery was utterly blown away by the sheer quality of the submissions and the incredible diversity of the participating artists. Seeing this beautiful celebration of global talent come together in our space was nothing short of magical. It has always been our core mission to gather artists from all corners of the world, to celebrate their artwork collectively, and to provide them with a supportive, dedicated community on this side of the world here in London.

Reviewing the submissions was both a joy and an intense challenge. In fact, selecting the first prize winner was incredibly difficult. The talent level was so high that we genuinely wished we had more than one spot available so we could award and celebrate even more artists! On the day of the prize announcement, I think our team was actually more excited and nervous than the artists themselves.

No. 35 Gallery remains committed to supporting emerging and established artists through accessible and internationally focused exhibition platforms, fostering visibility, exchange, and creative collaboration across borders.

Anisa Mosaiebiniya,

Artist and Curator,

No. 35 Gallery

Exhibition Overview & Transparency Report

We believe in radical transparency in the art world. Below is the official breakdown of how the Open Theme Exhibition 2026 was curated, managed, and funded:

The Live Showcase: [link removed]

Exhibition Details & Metrics

• The Curation: A completely unrestricted open call focusing on personal narratives, global dialogue, and material experimentation.

• The Jury Process: All submissions were reviewed by our curatorial team based on technical execution, artistic voice, and contemporary relevance.

• Exhibition Catalog: [link removed]

What the Participation Fee Covers

The participation fee (typically £15) covers administrative and promotional costs essential to running the digital showcase:

• Inclusion in the Exhibition: The fee secures your spot and provides inclusion of your selected work within the curated online exhibition.

• Curation and Infrastructure: It supports the curation of the online platform and the digital infrastructure required for the showcase.

• Documentation: It covers the production of the digital catalogue.

• Marketing: It helps fund administrative costs and international marketing efforts to ensure high visibility for all participants.

Global Reach

21 Countries Represented. Works were brought together digitally from Afghanistan, Azerbaijan, Brazil, China, Egypt, Georgia, India, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Lebanon, Malaysia, Mexico, Pakistan, the Philippines, Portugal, Saudi Arabia, Syria, Türkiye, the UAE, and the UK.Voices from Our Global Community

We are honored to share reflections from the incredible artists who made this exhibition possible:

• Tamer Makdesi: "My experience collaborating with Gallery 35 was truly exceptional. The team demonstrated high professionalism and seamless communication at every step. Furthermore, the refined level of organization and curation of the artworks added a uniquely inspiring atmosphere to the entire exhibition."

  
  

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• Rita Félix Bernardes Carvalho da Silva: “As an artist, the only thing I want is for my work to grow, to reach new places, to have a life of its own; the no35 gallery has helped me to do just that. I hope our paths continue to cross. Thank you.”

• Jonah Pearl Lacorte: "No. 35 Gallery has been a breeze to work with these past two exhibits I've had with them. The ease with which it is to apply for their exhibits and the transparency of each of the details are commendable as well. Their curators spent ample time in knowing each exhibitor/applicant thoroughly with a specific timeline provided to us, and when there were details I needed to update once I was selected, they were also swift in their replies. Overall, it was trouble-free, and it was heartwarming to see fellow artists in each online gallery show and read about them along with the support provided by the gallery on each show."

• Roshaney Ali Khan: "I had a very positive experience collaborating with No. 35 Gallery. The communication throughout the process was very cooperative, responsive, and supportive, which made everything run smoothly. I was also impressed by how well the exhibition was displayed for an online format, and I appreciated how quickly and efficiently the entire process was handled. Overall, it was a very efficient display."

• Balqees Al-Jarmani: "My experience with Gallery 35 was seamless and inspiring, thanks to a highly organized, clear, and cooperative team. The professional curation beautifully captured the essence of my artistic message, creating an atmosphere where art felt like a powerful voice. I am proud to have been a part of this wonderful exhibition."

• Mohsin Rasheed: "It was a wonderful experience collaborating with No. 35 Gallery. Your communication throughout the process was professional and supportive, and I truly appreciated the opportunity to be part of such a well-curated international exhibition. I look forward to collaborating with No. 35 Gallery again in the future."

• Gil Zablodovsky: "Collaborating with No. 35 Gallery was an absolute pleasure from start to finish. The curation was incredibly thoughtful, and the team's professional communication made the entire process seamless and inspiring. The energy of the show truly brought together a remarkable community of artists and art lovers."

• Debashis Rout: "Collaborating with No. 35 Gallery has been a truly rewarding experience, as they have promoted artists like me with fairness in judging creativity and continued encouragement throughout the process. Even from a distance, this platform has provided the comfort of presenting together through an online exhibition, making the experience feel connected and meaningful. No. 35 Gallery is also highly professional and punctual with dates, which is rare compared with many other online exhibitions."

• Nino Khundadze: "Collaboration with no. 35 Gallery was so easygoing. The whole process flew like a river. Communication was always so easy and direct, and I felt seen and appriciated through my work. Its trully a pleasure to collaborate."

• Marwah Waqar: "Every exhibition becomes part of an artist's journey, and I'm grateful that No.35 Gallery became part of mine. Their thoughtful curation and generous support created a meaningful experience, and I'm honored to have my work introduced to a wider audience through their platform."

• Tabsheer Azmat: "It was a really growing and engaging experience displaying my work in No.35 gallery. Had the opportunity to work with artist all around the world. This opportunity is really good to be availed by young emerging artist and those who can't go out of country and exhibit their work internationally."

• Bharti Sharma Nautiyal: "Working with No. 35 was a very positive experience: communication was clear and professional, the curation was thoughtful, and the show's atmosphere felt supportive and engaging."

• Dpaulinos Silva: "My experience with the exhibition at No.35 Gallery was the best possible, a selective curation with high-caliber artists, impeccable and highly professional promotion. I was very honored to have participated in this exhibition and, hoping to participate in future events, I send my sincere thanks to everyone."

• Rala Tarabishi: "Working with No.35 Gallery has been a pleasure. Getting the opportunity as a syrian artist to showcase my work globally has helped me reach a new community of artists and viewers who were touched with what I create. I hope to continue collaborating with the gallery and spread my art across the world."

• Syeda Musferah: "I had a great experience collaborating with No. 35 Gallery. The team was communicative and professional, and the curation made the exhibition feel cohesive and engaging. The overall atmosphere was vibrant and supportive of artists."

• Meghanad Ganpule: "Collaborating with No. 35 Gallery has been a genuinely positive experience. The communication throughout the exhibition process was clear, professional, and thoughtful, and the curation created a diverse and engaging dialogue between the participating artists. It has been a pleasure to be part of an exhibition that values both artistic quality and meaningful presentation."

• Juan Javier Garchitorena: "Collaborating with No. 35 Gallery was an incredible opportunity for me as an emerging artist still exploring and developing my craft. The gallery provided a massive worldwide platform to showcase my work, making the entire process feel deeply supportive and empowering. The seamless communication and insightful curation really brought the vision of the show to life, and I couldn't be more grateful for the experience."