Taboo is a contemporary art exhibition that explores the invisible boundaries society places around censored narratives. It examines taboo as a social construct — exposing the relationship between repression and control, shame and identity, secrecy and power.

Interested in questioning how taboos are formed, who defines them, and why certain experiences are silenced across cultures and generations, we invite artists to participate in a collective exhibition, sharing their stories and concepts of cultural and familial taboos.

Some of them include shame surrounding sexuality, mental health, grief, and social status, passed through generations, the worshiping or regulation of the body, political and power affairs, circulating around the judgement on desire, addiction, obsession, and the tension between freedom and moral control.

All forbidden, censored, hidden, and feared is considered taboo. But taboo also refers to a subject of minimal knowledge, restricted access, sacred, or allowed to few.

The exhibition will encourage open dialogue around topics often considered uncomfortable or controversial.

Stepping from silence into visibility and from discomfort into reflection, it aims to challenge the audiences to confront the uncomfortable spaces between morality and humanity.

And will transform taboo from a barrier into a conversation — revealing that what society suppresses often exposes its deepest truths.

We invite UK based artists to apply for our upcoming curated exhibition at Glena Art Studio. It will take place between the 23rd of July and the 13th of August, with a Private view on the 23rd of July at 7 pm.

Please, read carefully!

To be considered, please complete  the submission form and include up to 3 artworks with 3–5 images.

Application deadline: 28 JUNE

Submission is free. A £45 participation fee applies only to selected artists after confirmation of acceptance.

All artworks must be well-presented and ready for installation.

Please, be aware that we use a hanging system and D-rings or wires are required for 2-D wall based artworks.

Paperbased works need to be framed to be displayed. Artworks that are not ready for installation will not be accepted. Participating artists are responsible for delivery and collection of their artworks.

What we offer:

The exhibition programme includes a professionally curated presentation, installation, a public opening event with live music and refreshments, a structured publicity campaign, visitor engagement throughout the exhibition period, and an organised artists’ talk.

Participating artists will receive both physical exhibition exposure and sustained online promotion across social media channels and curated directories.

We have over 3K social media followers -  1.9K  on Facebook and 1.3K on Instagram, newsletter with 150+ contacts, and we consistently advertise our exhibitions and studio activities on other established event platforms.

Your work will be introduced to potential collectors, and you will join a growing network of artists committed to mutual support, collaboration, and creative exchange.

Our Track Record:

With eight years of continuous development and officially established in the UK in 2022, Glena Art Studio has built a reputation for dynamic and engaging exhibitions.

Our own dedicated exhibiting space, located on the 1st floor of a business premises in the communicative area of Golders Green and Finchley Road, a stop away from Hampstead.

It has approx. 42sq/m, supplied with hanging system, spotlights, a natural light and a space without natural light for multimedia projects.

It launched with the exhibition Muse – Metamorphosis, which welcomed a wide audience during the Private view and its live events, generating online engagement of 22.5 K views.  

Some of our last exhibitions – the ‘Christmas show’, ‘Unmanifested’, and ‘Archetypes’ welcomed over 80+ visitors during each PV and the exhibitions we host benefit from the foot flow of visitors, additional events attendees, and students of Glena Art classes and workshops.

We generated around 7% sales or the average of 3 artworks per show, across four consecutive exhibitions.

Featured artists were commissioned custom artworks as a result of their participation, were invited to participate in podcasts and interviews, and advanced in solo shows and media publications.

Previously, Emergency Art at Platform Southwark was a vibrant celebration of contemporary and conceptual art, drawing significant public engagement.

‘Muse – Masquerade Ball. Live music. Art.’, hosted at Candid Arts Gallery in 2022, sold 80 tickets for its live event, achieved strong attendance throughout the show, and secured a major artwork sale.

The exhibition was later featured in a curator’s interview for Create! Magazine, and participating artists progressed to secure solo exhibitions and further professional opportunities.

Our testimonials hold record by visitors and artists' feedback standing for exceptional presentation and Opening events experience.

About Glena Art Studio

Glena Art Studio is a creative hub dedicated to art education, curated exhibitions, and cultural events. Our mission is to connect communities that celebrate equality, diversity, unity, and collaboration, while supporting artists in both their creative and personal growth.

We are excited to present another ambitious and successful exhibition and look forward to receiving your submissions.