ODYSSEY is an international open call for artists for a physical group exhibition in Paris, exploring journey, migration, identity, memory, belonging and transformation. Artists of all nationalities and career stages are invited to submit work for consideration.

ODYSSEY — International Open Call for Artists

What does it mean to leave — and what do we become along the way?

ODYSSEY is an international group exhibition bringing together contemporary artists whose practices explore ideas of journey, displacement, identity, memory, belonging and transformation.

Inspired by the archetype of the Odyssey — a journey shaped not only by distance, but also by encounters, uncertainty, loss and return — the exhibition considers the many forms an odyssey can take today.

In a world increasingly shaped by migration, technological change, shifting identities and unstable boundaries, journeys are no longer simply geographical. They can be emotional, cultural, political, digital or deeply personal.

We welcome contemporary interpretations of themes including:

• departure, travel and migration
• home, exile and belonging
• identity and self-transformation
• memory, absence and loss
• borders and displacement
• desire, change and becoming
• cultural encounters and hybrid identities
• technology, virtual spaces and the digital age
• personal journeys and contemporary interpretations of the Odyssey

These themes are intended as points of departure rather than limitations. Artists are encouraged to interpret ODYSSEY freely through their own artistic language, experience and cultural perspective.

The Exhibition

ODYSSEY is organised by Sol de Paris and will be presented as a physical group exhibition in Paris.

We have access to two possible venues for the exhibition:

Venue 1 — Sol de Paris
17 Rue Chapon
75003 Paris, France

Venue 2 — GALERIE ST-GUILLAUME
18 Rue Saint-Guillaume
75007 Paris, France

The final venue will be confirmed following the curatorial selection, based on the dimensions and installation requirements of the selected artworks, in order to ensure the most appropriate exhibition layout.

The confirmed venue will be communicated to all selected artists well in advance of artwork delivery.

The exhibition aims to create a dialogue between artists from different countries, generations and cultural backgrounds, bringing together diverse contemporary interpretations of journey and transformation.

The open call welcomes emerging, early-career, mid-career and established artists of all nationalities. Artists do not need to be based in France, and physical attendance in Paris is not required.

We welcome a broad range of contemporary practices, including painting, drawing, photography, sculpture, mixed media, textile, digital art, video and installation. Other media may be considered depending on the technical requirements of the work and the exhibition space.

Application

Artists may propose up to three works for consideration.

Applications should include:

• Artist name
• Artist statement
• Images of the proposed artwork(s)
• Artwork details
• Website and/or social media, if available
• A short explanation of how the proposed work relates to the theme of ODYSSEY
• Technical or installation requirements, where applicable

There is no fee to submit an application.

Applications will be reviewed by the curatorial team. Selection will consider artistic quality, originality, relevance to the curatorial theme, dialogue with other selected works and suitability for the exhibition space.

Selected Artists

Selected artists will receive:

• Participation in a physical group exhibition in Paris
• Curatorial selection and exhibition development
• Professional presentation and installation of selected work
• Exhibition communication and digital promotion
• Artist and artwork presentation through exhibition-related content
• Complimentary post-exhibition editorial coverage of ODYSSEY through Arty Rat Journal, an independent art and culture platform
• Professional photographic documentation of the exhibition
• Invitation to the vernissage
• Certificate of participation
• Opportunity to offer selected works for sale during the exhibition

Through the exhibition and its communication programme, ODYSSEY seeks to extend the visibility of participating artists beyond the physical exhibition space in Paris and introduce their practices to a broader international audience.

Selected artists may also be considered for future exhibitions and curatorial projects.

Participation & Artwork Delivery

There is no application fee.

Selected artists who choose to participate will be asked to contribute an exhibition participation fee of 200€. No payment is required unless an artist has been selected and chooses to confirm their participation.

The contribution supports the production of the physical exhibition in Paris, including gallery space, exhibition installation, coordination, communication and documentation.

Selected artists are responsible for arranging the delivery of their artwork to Paris and, where applicable, its return after the exhibition. International artists are welcome to ship their work to the gallery and do not need to attend in person.

Shipping, customs and return costs remain the responsibility of the artist unless otherwise agreed.

Full participation, delivery and installation information will be provided to selected artists before confirmation.

Promotion and Social Media Reach

ODYSSEY will be promoted through Sol de Paris' Instagram account, @Sol_de_Paris_, which currently has 694 followers.

Promotion will take place before, during and after the exhibition and will include exhibition announcements, installation and exhibition content, and post-exhibition communication.

Expected visitors

ODYSSEY will run for one week in Paris, and we currently anticipate approximately 150–250 in-person visitors over the course of the exhibition, including general gallery visitors, guests attending the opening, participating artists and their networks.

This figure is an estimate based on the exhibition format and expected attendance rather than a guaranteed visitor number.

Complimentary Media Support

Following the exhibition, ODYSSEY will receive post-exhibition editorial coverage through Arty Rat Journal, an independent art and culture platform.

The publication will present the exhibition through editorial text and a selection of exhibition and installation images provided after the event. This post-exhibition coverage will offer additional visibility for the exhibition and its participating artists.

The publication will be organised and funded by the exhibition organiser and will involve no additional cost to participating artists.

About Sol de Paris

Sol de Paris is a contemporary art gallery based in Paris. Founded in 2023, following the development of the former Double H Art Space, the gallery presents curated solo and group exhibitions across painting, photography, moving image, installation and interdisciplinary practices, with a particular interest in contemporary and cross-cultural artistic dialogue.

The gallery has organised and hosted a growing programme of exhibitions in Paris, including Etoile Etoile, Tout n’est pas si mal, La beauté du petit, Exposition à Trois Voix, Aria of the Unheard and Whispers in Aria, and has also participated in Art Shopping Paris.

ODYSSEY continues this programme through a one-week group exhibition bringing together contemporary artists and practices around themes of journey, displacement, identity, memory and belonging.

We look forward to discovering the journeys, memories and transformations that shape your own ODYSSEY.