In partnership with BSL Celebration, John Hansard Gallery is seeking Expressions of Interest from UK-based deaf BSL artists and designers to submit work for a community exhibition happening as part of Southampton BSL Fest 2025.

We are inviting artists who make work about climate change and in particular the works about the impact or experience of the deep sea and global coastal communities. The work will be inspired by and/or connect to our forthcoming exhibition by artist Emma Critchley called Soundings. For more information, visit: Emma Critchley / FILMS / Sirens.

BSL Celebration was formed in 2022 and promotes the TakingBSLForward movement, showcasing and celebrating British Sign Language (BSL) with a wider public and works in partnership with longstanding BSL allies.

To be accepted, you must be currently living and working in the UK.

If your work is chosen, John Hansard Gallery will pay a fee of £500 and cover the cost of transporting your work to and from the gallery and insurance while the work is exhibited. Work should be 2D, digital/film or wall mounted relief only, as we are unable to show floor based or sculptural works due to the shape of the exhibition space.

Please complete this online form to submit your application. A BSL version can be found here

Deadline for submissions: Monday 20 January 2025 at 5pm

Next year’s Southampton BSL Fest runs from 22–27 April 2025.