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

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Portraits Beyond Faces

A curated international photography exhibition

September 20 – October 14, 2025

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Portraiture emerged as one of the most prominent genres of depictive media early in the history of the visual arts; tacit or explicit rules, conventions and cultural expectations have always influenced the ways in which artists approached the genre. Photography is no exception. Numerous different and characteristic styles of portraiture emerged throughout the history of the medium. We usually assume that faces are necessary components of portraiture; we may, however, learn just as much about the character, the personality of a person by looking at images that depict other parts of their bodies, show us the objects or places associated with them. Not focusing on the face may open up a new dimension of interpretation. Our Portraits Beyond Faces exhibition is dedicated to this challenging divergence from the more conventional approaches to the genre.

 

PH21 Gallery invites photographers to submit their work for our group exhibition themed Portraits Beyond Faces. We welcome submissions from all photographers interested in this theme, providing them with an opportunity to share their work with a broader international audience through the exposure offered by PH21 Gallery. The theme is broadly defined, and we are interested in all kinds of portraits that characterise persons without focusing on the depiction of their faces.

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Submission deadlines​

• Early bird deadline: July 14, 2025

• Final deadline: July 21, 2025

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Read more and submit your work here.

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Solo exhibition opportunity

October 18 – November 11, 2025

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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 from October 18 to November 11, 2025.

• 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.

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Submission deadlines:

• Early bird deadline: August 11, 2025

• Final deadline: August 18, 2025

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Read more and submit your work here.

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