ODYSSEY

Hastings Contemporary and Sussex Contemporary have partnered to launch our first Open exhibition.

Our first open exhibition celebrates the creative force of Sussex, bringing together artwork by over 150 artists from across the region. Each work offers a unique and personal reflection on the theme of Odyssey, journeying through time, place, imagination and experience.

The exhibited works were selected from over 2,600 entries, and span painting, drawing, printmaking, photography, textiles, ceramics, sculpture, film and installation, reflecting the ambition, diversity and creative bravery of the region.

This milestone, gallery-wide exhibition includes artists of international renown; Jennifer Binnie, Rachel Howard, Gary Hume, Martin Maloney, Alessandro Raho, Anne Ryan, Andrew Sabin and presents an exciting snapshot of artistic excellence in Sussex in 2026. All works will be available to purchase.

Theme: Odyssey

This theme reflects on journeys shaped by tides, time, and transformation, on the restless call of the sea and the stories it inspires. Hastings, a place long defined by its proximity to the coast, provides a fitting setting for such explorations.

Key dates

Submissions Open: Monday 13 October 2025
Submissions Close: Sunday 18 January 2026
Artists notified of results: w/c 16 February
Artwork drop-off day: 19 March
Exhibition Opens: Saturday 28 March

Open to any artist who is connected to Sussex through residence, birthplace, education, or work.

With thanks to: