Current Calls for Entries​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

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Upside down @ PH21 Gallery Barcelona

A curated international photography exhibition

February 7 – March 3, 2026

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While photographs are valued for their depictive potential and representative content, the non-depictive, non-representational aspects of photographic works are also strongly related to their aesthetic significance. In this spirit, art photography has always aimed for the unity of form and content. Abstract photography has gone even further, celebrating abstract compositions for their own sake, without the need for appreciating or even recognising depictive content in the images. Turning a photograph upside down tends to strip it of its representative function because the depicted scene and objects are difficult, if not impossible, to recognise when the image is turned on its side or upside down. However, the formal, compositional aspects of photographs become more pronounced in this manner, as our attention is directed away from scene and object recognition. In our Upside down exhibition, we aim to showcase photographs that are indeed turned upside down. Any photograph is eligible if the artist is willing to present it in this unconventional way. Abstract photographs might be considered the most suitable candidates for this experimental exhibiting method, but there are many depictive works as well whose compositional qualities might also be appreciated in novel ways when turned upside down. This allows us to liberate ourselves from scrutinizing and concentrating solely on their representational content. Landscapes, bodyscapes, symmetrical compositions, and even architectural and street photography may be excellent candidates for presenting images upside down, but photographs from other genres may also be considered for this exhibition.

 

PH21 Gallery invites photographers to submit their work for a group exhibition with the theme Upside down. We welcome submissions from all photographers interested in this subject, eager to share their work with a broader international audience through the exposure of PH21 Gallery. The theme is broadly interpreted, as it is independent of generic or stylistic constraints. We are interested in all creative photographic interpretations of this theme.

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This exhibition will be showcased in PH21 Gallery’s beautiful new venue, situated in the heart of Barcelona’s historic Gothic Quarter.

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Submission deadlines​

• Early bird deadline: December 1, 2025

• Final deadline: December 8, 2025

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Read more and submit your work here.

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Solo exhibition opportunity in Barcelona

March 7–31, 2026​​

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PH21 Gallery invites photographers to submit their work for a solo exhibition opportunity. Please submit a cohesive portfolio suitable for a solo exhibition, along with an artist statement, and a short bio. The portfolio should include a minimum of 15 and a maximum of 35 images. Submission may feature one or two series, provided that the series can be harmoniously presented in a single exhibition. There are no stylistic, thematic, or genre restrictions; photographers working in all areas of photography are encourage to apply.

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• The winner of this competition will be awarded a solo exhibition, scheduled to take place our new Barcelona Gallery from March 7 to 31, 2026.

• PH21 Gallery will cover all printing and installation expenses for the solo exhibition. In addition to the brick-and-mortar solo exhibition, the winner's work will also be presented on a dedicated page of our website.

• Up to 10 other photographers will have the opportunity to present a mini-series of three images from their portfolio in the "Photographic Visions" group exhibition. Photographic Visions is a biannual exhibition hosted by PH21 Gallery showcasing mini-series by selected artists who participated in the solo exhibition competition. The Photographic Visions exhibition will also be presented on a dedicated page on our website.

• A catalogue for the solo exhibition will be published and made available through Blurb Books.

 

Submission deadlines​

• Early bird deadline: December 29, 2025

• Final deadline: January 5, 2026

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Read more and submit your work here.

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