Call For Artists
Sweet ‘Art’s APOCALIPSTICK Exhibition
Sweet ‘Art has a cosy new home after 12 years of success as an arts organisation giving opportunity to hundreds of artists that may be marginalised in the art world. The Art Bypass Gallery’s latest incarnation is in London E8 and we are now seeking accomplished and thought-provoking artworks to exhibit as part of our next group exhibition!
Titled APOCALIPSTICK, the exhibition will reflect Sweet ‘Art’s mission, ethos and foundations in inclusivity, intersectional feminism, art meets activism, and engagement with important social issues through art. Sweet ‘Art launched in 2012 with a large multi medium art exhibition in celebration of International Women’s Day. At the time few arts events existed to mark women’s day. Since this time the mission, ethos and values of Sweet ‘Art as an organisation have attempted to adapt and change to ever evolving feminist theory and practice.
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4th wave feminism is also said to have begun around the year 2012 and is characterised by this need for evolution and change. It attempts to be framed in far greater ways by intersectionality and includes an amplifying of issues found at the intersect of multiple identities for individuals, such as gender, sexuality, race, class and economic positioning, where issues of power held, abused or relinquished by individuals and groups are considered.
We invite artists using any medium to submit works that explore a current and future climate informed by a vision of what 4th wave feminism can and must be. In a time of climate crisis, political global unrest, acts of war crime and genocide, the rise of extremist misogyny and where the wealth gap becomes ever wider, with women, disabled and trans people losing economic support and rights, what form and means must feminist activism take now?
Internet activism has become important in the fight against oppression and there are those calling for a greater awareness of the indoctrination occurring in the ‘manosphere’ that is contributing to an escalation in violence against women and those of marginalised genders. How may or should this ongoing work look in the rise of ever-changing technologies, online platforms and a possible enactment of an ‘extinction burst’ in patriarchy. In an age of livestreamed genocide how do those in the global west ensure feminist discourse and action remains relevant, meaningful for all? Climate and animal welfare activists alike call for greater awareness of cross species feminism where the exploitation of female animals in the mass consumption of non plant-based foods, along with the continued testing on animals for cosmetics used disproportionately by women is interrogated. In an age of growing western awareness and expansion of definitions of gender and gendered norms, how may 4th wave feminism respond?
We would like to see submissions that explore but are not limited to such issues and which also reflect on lived personal experience in response to the show’s theme and title. We are always excited to receive submissions that explore different interpretations of the show theme!
Selected artists will be given the opportunity to exhibit for a 2 week show located in Dalston, a vibrant part of London’s cultural scene, in a beautiful converted Victorian shop. The show will be installed by experienced curators, and invitations, press releases, promotion, opening party with cocktails and nibbles (invite only with 2-5 invites per artist dependant on uptake), and by appointment invigilation of the space between 12-7pm daily.
Sweet ‘Art is a non-profit arts organization dedicated to the promotion of upcoming and established artists through exciting art events with a difference. We are an artist and curator led organisation and between us, as a team have years of experience and formal qualifications in art practice, curating, exhibiting, arts promotion and arts administration. Our work with artists to date has included large multimedia group exhibitions, solo exhibitions, performance art events, film festivals, makers fairs, arts publications and facilitating international collaborations. We always aim to provide an accessible and inclusive space for making, looking at, thinking about, and debating art.
Submissions Process:
There is no fee to submit your work and those whose work is accepted will be asked to pay a portion of exhibiting costs (based on selected work size) as Sweet ‘Art is a non-funded organization.
Exhibiting fees:
Large size (larger than A2) - £75 per piece exhibited
Medium size (A3-A2) - £55 per piece exhibited
Small size (under A2) - £30 per piece exhibited
Please be aware that we cannot accept work larger than A1 size for this exhibition.
You can read more about our fees, selection process and mission and values on our website. Full terms and conditions will be emailed with the submission form.
Works will need to be available between the 5th- 27th July 2025 Work must be available to be delivered either in-person or by courier directly to the exhibition venue on the 5th July.
Work may be digitally printed remotely by the Sweet ‘Art team but extra costs of this will need to be covered by the artist.
Submissions Deadline: 18th May 2025, 9am.
Submissions Process: To submit up to 6 art works please visit our submissions page and complete our online submissions form. Please also check out help on filling out your form.
Expressions of Interest
The Art Bypass Gallery is open for expressions of interest!
When we don’t have any programmed activities or events of our own, our space remains available for hire for exhibitions, happenings, arts and activism based meetings and workshops. We have equipment to support events too such as easels, tables, drawing boards, art materials, projectors and monitors. Get in touch if you need a cozy arty space to do your thing and it fits with the Sweet ‘Arts mission, ethos and values.
The Gallery is based in Dalston E8, a short walk from Dalston Junction/Kingsland stations as well as to arty hangouts like EartH, The Rio Cinema and The Holy Art Gallery as well as all the pubs and bars of Kingsland Road.
The Gallery is ground floor and the doors open straight onto the road. Some features we love are our bar area, perfect for hosting your opening event/private view; our jungle bathroom, and our cosy zine library area stocked with feminist art books and zines.
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The process for expressing your interest is as follows:
1. Email us at info@wearesweetart.com and let us know you're interested, we'll send you back an Expression of Interest form.
2. Send the form back to us with as much information as you can provide to tell us all we need to know about your event.
3. We'll then get back in touch to let you know if it's something we are able to host, and if we have availability we'll arrange a follow up meeting to discuss the proposal in-depth and confirm all the terms and conditions.
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Just as a heads-up, there will be a cost involved for anyone hiring the space. This will need to cover our Public Liability Insurance as well as gallery overheads.




