CISTA ARTS invites artists worldwide to submit work for The Unfinished, an international online group exhibition taking place in December 2026. Exploring what remains unresolved, what continues to change, and what is yet to come, the exhibition welcomes diverse artistic interpretations of incompleteness, uncertainty, transformation, growth and possibility. Artists working across all contemporary art forms are encouraged to apply. Submitted artworks do not need to be physically unfinished or newly created.

The Unfinished

Exhibition Theme:

What remains unfinished, what is still changing, and what is yet to come?

Not everything reaches a clear conclusion. Some stories remain untold, some questions unanswered, and some experiences continue to shape us long after they have passed. In art, as in life, the unfinished can be a source of uncertainty, possibility, imagination and change.

The Unfinished invites artists to explore the many meanings of incompleteness, from personal experiences and unresolved emotions to evolving identities, changing landscapes, unfinished histories and imagined futures.

The exhibition welcomes diverse interpretations of the theme, including works that engage with transformation, uncertainty, interruption, imperfection, growth, experimentation, absence, anticipation and the spaces between beginnings and endings.

An artwork does not need to be physically unfinished to participate. We are interested in how artists interpret the idea through their subjects, materials, processes and individual perspectives.

CISTA ARTS welcomes submissions from artists worldwide, working across painting, photography, sculpture, drawing, mixed media, digital art, video, installation and other contemporary artistic practices.

Who can apply?

The call is open to artists internationally and at all stages of their careers.

We welcome submissions across a broad range of media, including:

Painting, drawing, photography, sculpture, ceramics, textiles, printmaking, collage, installation, moving image, digital art, sound, performance, mixed media and interdisciplinary practices.

Both existing and newly created works are welcome, provided they engage meaningfully with the exhibition theme.

Dates:

Submission Deadline: 11 November 2026
Exhibition Dates: 1- 29 December 2026

Submission Guidelines:

We are keen to learn about you! Please submit the following:

• Contact information (full name, email, mobile)

• Details of the artworks (title, size, medium, year, price)

• Artist statement (max 100 words on how your work relates to the theme)

• Short biography (max 100 words, third-person)

• Up to 4 sample images of your work

Please note: Only two artworks per artist will be selected for exhibition.

Selected Participants Will Receive:

• Exhibition of your work on the CISTA ARTS online platform (1-29 December 2026)

• Inclusion in a limited edition, professionally produced paperback catalogue (UK-based) + complimentary PDF copy

• No commission taken on sales

• Daily social media features in our Meet the Artist series

• Exhibition placement on our homepage + archived access after close

• Direct links to your website or social media in all features

• Certificate of participation

Participation Fee: 

£30 for one accepted artwork | £50 for two accepted artworks

Applying to this exhibition opportunity is free.

Participation Fee Benefits:

Selected artists will have their work exhibited online for the full month on our homepage, included in a professionally produced printed and digital exhibition catalogue, featured in daily social media promotion under our ‘Meet the Artist’ series, and receive a certificate of participation. 

CISTA ARTS takes no commission on sales.

Digital Exposure and Reach:

• We currently have over 12.2K followers on Instagram, in addition to a Facebook audience and a mailing list of over 2K subscribers.
• Our online exhibitions attract between 1,200–1,800 unique visitors, and our website receives more than 4,000 visits per month.

• Each participating artist will be permanently featured on our Past Exhibitions page, with direct links to their own website or social media for continued exposure.

Exhibition Access:

The exhibition is fully accessible to the public via our official website, with no login or fee required.

Exhibition History:

Since our founding in 2018, CISTA ARTS has organised over 50 solo and group exhibitions, both online and in hybrid formats. 

Our platform is designed to support emerging and mid-career artists across borders, particularly those facing visa and mobility restrictions.

Artist Feedback:

We have received consistently positive reviews from artists who have worked with us, with many praising our professionalism, communication, and the quality of our exhibitions. 

These testimonials can be viewed on our Google Reviews page.

About Us:

Based in London, CISTA ARTS is an independent, artist-led curatorial platform dedicated to inclusive programming, cross-cultural dialogue, and supporting underrepresented voices in contemporary visual art.