NGO DEI is launching an open call for young artists in the Netherlands and the UK. We invite you to respond to the theme of war and displacement in your own way, through any art form, and explore how war is remembered, felt, and expressed.Two selected artists will have the opportunity to host a duo exhibition in our gallery this summer, building connections, exchanging ideas, and engage with fellow emerging artists.
For many of us in the Netherlands and the UK, war arrives as a constant stream of images and headlines, visible yet distant. This tension between exposure and distance examines how narratives of violence, trauma, and political conflict are constructed, who gets to define what is felt, and what is excluded, silenced, or made invisible.Through new ways of seeing and engaging, it reframes how these subjects can be approached, opening alternative modes of engagement, care, and critical distance rather than softening their force.
Who can participate
Emerging artists aged under 30
Based in the Netherlands or the UK
From all backgrounds and disciplines
Work inspired by conflict, memory, and movement
All creative approaches welcome
Register for the Open Call through the link in our bio:
linktr.ee/ngodei
Mentoring Event: 20 June
Join artists Frans van Hoek (NL) and Oshii (UK) for a shared space of exchange, featuring artist talks, interactive workshops, and participants presenting their work and personal motivations.
Oshii (UK)
Bristol-based multidisciplinary artist working with bold visual language and layered narratives. His practice explores social and political issues through a decolonial lens, combining painting, public projects, and community-led workshops to open conversation and participation.
Frans van Hoek (NL)
Conceptual artist based in The Hague. His practice explores political and philosophical ideas through a playful and participatory approach. Using humour and social engagement, he creates accessible works that transform complex ideas into shared experiences and dialogues.
Here is why you SHOULD join this open call:
What we provide is not only a platform to showcase your work but also a space where we actively support your process, development, and voice.
once selected, you will get...
– Exhibition in our gallery in The Hague(54 m² white cube + 12 m² media room)
– Accommodation for UK-based artist(single-bedroom residency)
– Travel support for UK & NL artists
– Production support(50–100% depending on project)
– All exhibition & installation costs covered
Open Call Deadline: 29 June
One selected artist from each side will present a joint exhibition in our gallery, co-shaping the curation and showcasing their work together.
Exhibition: 8–16 August
Our gallery in The Hague has hosted over 20 exhibitions and 10 residencies in the past two years with a major focus on supporting artists experiencing displacement and engaging with international political themes. It spans two floors, including a 54 m² white gallery space and a 12 m² media room.
