Symbioses: Living Together

A curated group exhibition exploring ecologies, patterns of nature and our relationship with the more-than-human world. 19th June - 19th July 2026 at Art Works East, Leyton.

Symbioses: Mutually beneficial relationships between organisms or species. From Greek sumbiōsis ‘a living together’, from sumbioun ‘live together’, from sumbios ‘companion’. Symbioses is a curated group show. We are calling for visual artists whose work explores any or some of the following ideas:

• Inter-connectedness: Inter-dependence of life and ecosystems, such as exploring the artists’ individual relationships with ecology in a co-existing world.
• Our relationship with the more-than-human world: Our physical, emotional, and spiritual connection with nature.
• Perspective and humility: Works which make visible a range of perspectives of our shared planet, and which explore a connection to something greater than ourselves.
• Science: The rhythms, patterns, structures and cycles found in the natural world.
• Hope and action: Themes of care, wonder and respect.

We’re curious to see work that inspires awe; poses positive possibilities of alternative futures which embrace nature and our relationship to it; or which invites interaction and action to cherish and protect the natural world.

“The world offers itself to your imagination, calls to you like the wild geese, harsh and exciting – over and over announcing your place in the family of things.” –Mary Oliver

The exhibition will be complemented by a month-long programme of events to engage the public with the themes of the exhibition in various different ways. The programme is still evolving, but we’re planning for a dynamic programme to include yoga in the gallery, participatory art workshops, an Artist Talk, singing circles and live music.

While the title and ideas above offer a point of departure, the exhibition will take shape organically through curation of the variety of submissions received. This exhibition is curated by Laura Villares House, an artist and printmaker whose own work explores our relationship with nature and the more-than-human world.

Why take part? Show your work in an East London gallery space for one month, in a bright exhibition space complemented by a varied cultural programme of events. A Private View event on the opening night, with refreshments, and a ‘meet the artist’ evening. Opportunities to build connections and community with practitioners working with similar themes, including an online meet up prior to the exhibition month to introduce other exhibiting artists.

In addition to promotion and marketing for the exhibition, there will be social media features on each participating artist the run up to the exhibition to support artists’ visibility. Exhibiting artists receive discounted/free access to the programme of events running alongside the exhibition. Exhibiting artists are eligible for exclusive opportunities at Art Works East, including up to 3 exhibiting artists receiving 6 months of free desk space or discounted studio spaces.

About the gallery: Art Works East is a gallery space and a creative hub for artists. Since opening, ArtWorks East has showcased over 200 artists across 7 exhibitions and welcomed more than 10,000 attendees through 30+ events, workshops, and activations. What began as a vision for an accessible, artist-led space has grown into a thriving community for creatives, freelancers, and entrepreneurs working across art, culture, and social impact.

Eligibility & Submission information: We want to feature a range of perspectives and we very much welcome submissions from artists at any stage of their careers, from emerging to established artists, and from any background or level of experience. We welcome a range of media, including works on paper, painting, printmaking, ceramics and textile art. All accepted 2D works must be framed and ready to hang. For 3D works, please provide a suitable plinth for display.

You can enter up to 5 pieces of work into the exhibition. It’s free to submit your work! If you are selected, there is a £35 participation per accepted artwork to cover curator time, gallery fees, promoting the exhibition, and the cost of a Private View. There are 5 concessionary places available if this fee is prohibitive. Artists retain 70% of the price of any works sold at the exhibition. The 30% commission supports the curator and gallery to continue running accessible exhibitions in the future.

If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact the curator, Laura. In your entry form, you’ll need to include:

• Contact information: full name, email, mobile, website and socials if you have them
• Details of the artworks: title, size, medium, year, price (including 30% commission).
• Each image file should not exceed 4MB. Please use JPG or PNG format and rename the image file so that it includes your name and the title of the work in it.
• A brief note about how the pieces you’re submitting relate to the theme of the exhibition (up to 200 words)
• A brief Artist Biography, telling us a bit about your creative practice and key themes you explore in your work (up to 200 words)

Deadline for submissions: Midnight on Sunday 10th May. We aim to respond to all selected artists on Friday 22nd May. Deadline for payment of participation fee: Friday 29th May. Delivery of works to Art Works East: Thursday 11th June 9.30am-5pm. All works must be framed/ready to hang, with picture string/wire on the back. Collection of unsold works: Monday 20th/ Tuesday 21st July 9.30am-5pm.

Liability & Photography: Although artworks will be handled with care and invigilation will be provided whilst the exhibition is open to the public, we cannot be responsible for loss or damage to artworks, and artists are encouraged to carry their own insurance. We reserve the right to photograph artwork during the event and use images of the artwork for publicity purposes, including images taken at the Private View and other events. The artist agrees to the above-mentioned terms by submitting artwork via this call.

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