Southnord is pleased to announce the open call for UP NEXT 2025, our annual exhibition dedicated to showcasing the next generation of Afro-Nordic artists. This year, we take inspiration from our inaugural collections exhibition Mindscape, as well as from one of the themes explored in the landmark exhibition on Black figuration When We See Us, curated by Koyo Kouoh and her team at Zeitz Mocaa. Luckily for the Nordic region, this show is travelling and will be presented from 9 October 2025 at Liljevalchs in Stockholm.

We invite emerging Southnords* working within the visual arts to submit work that reflects, expands upon or goes into dialogue the theme of repose (a state of rest, sleep or tranquility).

*A Southnord is a person of African descent situated or born in the Nordics. 

Who Can Apply: 

• Artists aged 18-28 of African descent, born or residing in the Nordics (Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, Sweden).

• Open to all visual art disciplines, including drawing, photography, painting, sculpture, installation, digital art and videography.

How to Apply: 

Artists must submit the following via the application portal:

• Portfolio: 3-5 examples of your previous works as low-res images, or as links to Google Drive, YouTube or Vimeo. Please be sure to provide any necessary passwords for access. Include sketches of new works you plan to include in your concept responding to the open call theme

• Artist Statement: A short text (max 500 words) on their practice and how the proposed works relates to the theme of repose.

• Contact Information