Artist Open Call for artists to take part in a major collaborative project to address Women's Health inequalities using art - to produce one or more pieces inspired by stories of empowerment for a big fundraising exhibition happening in 2025. Mortal And Strong - Scars of Gold

Mortal And Strong is a major art project which launched on IWD 2024. Founded by award-winning artist and former doctor of over a decade, Dr Liz Murray - this project aims to bring together emerging and acclaimed artists to put a spotlight on Women's Health using art, and in the process raising awareness and money for multiple charities. 

100 Voices. 100 Artworks. One big project for change.

Mortal And Strong 2024 is interviewing 100 women who have been affected by major health issues early on in life (such as breast cancer, fertility issues, baby loss, mental health, endometriosis, autoimmune disease, disability) - but focusing on their messages of strength and resilience.

These interviews are being shared as a podcast which has already gained international listeners and two interviews are shared every week between IWD 24 and IWD 25.

In addition to this, a powerful photography series is being inspired by the Japanese art of Kintsugi, using gold leaf to celebrate scars seen and unseen in a powerful and never-before-done series.

In addition to this MAS is pulling together a group of emerging and acclaimed artists to produce 100 artworks inspired by these stories which will come together for a published coffee table book and exhibition.

This is where Phase 2 of our Artist Open Call is now open...We have already confirmed around 10 amazing artists in a range of mediums from installation, sculpture, portrait, and abstract... we are still looking for another 10-20 artists to join this collaboration. 

What we are looking for:

-Artists whose area of work is female-focused. Exploring gender-related issues of identity, body, sexuality, health, and empowerment. 

-Any medium

-Emerging or acclaimed - this doesn't matter to us. We want to support artists from all backgrounds. If your vision is to use art for change and put a spotlight on health/gender inequalities and can share a portfolio/example of your work then we want to hear from you!

-You don't need to have been personally affected by health issues. Artists are separate to the Voices being interviewed about women's health issues, they are producing work INSPIRED by the stories of the Voices.

If you are an artist who also happens to have a story to share, then we will discuss the potential for including you as a Voice separately.

What happens if you are selected:

The application process is to show us examples of your work and share your vision and experience with us.

If selected, you'll then be invited to come on board and be part of the project. All confirmed artists are announced on our website and all social media platforms.

Artists will have their individual handles and websites advertised.

If selected you will be invited to produce either 1 or up to 5 pieces of art (depending on style, your availability etc) inspired by the stories of the women who are being interviewed.

These pieces of artwork will be included in the collection; shared publicly on our platforms, included in the book (royalty-free) and included in the exhibition. 

The Exhibition

The exhibition plans to be around IWD 2025. We are planning to hold this in London, venue to be confirmed. The exhibition will be a celebration of all the 100 artworks, the photography and also a short documentary of the women's interviews.

The exhibition itself will be a fundraising evening to raise money for charities nominated by the volunteers. Sales of the original artworks and limited edition prints will be for the artists, we take no commission and in lieu of this we ask that artists donate 20% of their sales to the charities we are fundraising for.

Artists retain ownership of their artworks but agree to allow Mortal And Strong to share their work, include them in the collection and book, and include them in the exhibition.

There will be awards at the exhibition for People's Choice and Curators Choice.

To apply: send us information about yourself, your artist statement, your background and your vision. You do not need to produce the artwork specifically to apply - if selected we discuss how the commission/artwork is produced thereafter.

Artwork needs to be completed by January 2025.

Mortal And Strong (MAS) is a social art project and is currently in the process of registering as a charity. MAS was founded by artist and doctor Liz Murray - with the vision to put a spotlight on gender inequalities in health through art.

Using real stories of resilience to empower and share messages of hope to others. The podcast series shares interviews with real women who have volunteered to share their personal stories of medical health problems early on in life and be photographed for the project.

MAS is registering as a charity to fundraise to cover the costs of the project, but its vision is to also provide a central place to signpost people to other charities.

MAS aims to share a proportion of all of its revenue with other charities, so that it is a central hub to support and educate using art, but also supporting other charities in the process.