The 11th International Exlibris and Small Graphic Form Competition is now open
Gdańsk Archipelago of Culture, the Gdańsk Community Foundation, together with its Partners, invite entries for the 11th International Ex Libris and Small Graphic Form Competition. The theme of this year's edition is Baltic amber. In late November, an overview of the winning and commended works will be on show at the Amber Museum.
"Ex Libris is a unique project which has, to date, attracted close to 5,000 entries. For every new edition of the competition, we choose the most interesting and current theme. In 2007, it was the 200th anniversary of the birth of Wincenty Pol; for Euro 2012, it was sport. This year we are drawing on one of Pomerania's oldest tales – Baltic amber," says Paweł Jarczewski, commissioner of the International Ex Libris and Small Graphic Form Competition at the Gdańsk Archipelago of Culture. "We are encouraging artists to prepare works that answer the questions: how do you show the uniqueness of this Baltic drop of sunlight? How do you capture the time frozen within it? How do you achieve the unique colour of this substance? We hope the entries will present the many faces and character of amber, showing two worlds: the one set millions of years ago, and the less obvious, fantastical one."
The winning and commended works will be on display at the post-competition exhibition at the Amber Museum, due to open in autumn 2022.
"Ex Libris" rules
The competition is open to adults and is aimed at creators of graphic marks. Its aim is to promote the rich tradition of creating ex libris and graphic works, and to promote the city of Gdańsk both in Poland and abroad. The jury will include graphic artists from Poland and abroad.
Each artist may submit a maximum of 3 handmade works whose subject matter relates to the competition theme. Only previously unpublished works may be submitted.
Entries will be judged in the following categories:
• ex libris and small graphic form – traditional techniques;
• ex libris and small graphic form – computer techniques.
Each work should be submitted in 2 signed copies, with the following details noted on the reverse: the artist's full name, technique and date of creation, opus number, and dimensions in mm (height x width). Works must not be mounted or framed, and their dimensions must not exceed 130×130 mm.
Entries must be accompanied by a completed entry form, available on the organiser's website.
Entries can be delivered in person to the Treasure Island GAK office or sent by post to: Wyspa Skarbów Gdański Archipelag Kultury, ul. Turystyczna 3, 80-680. The deadline for submitting entries is 30 September 2022 (postmark date applies).
Main prizes and special prizes
The organisers have provided prizes for 1st, 2nd and 3rd place in two competition categories. The first is traditional techniques, where the prize pool is 4,000, 3,000 and 1,500 złoty respectively. The second category is computer techniques, where the winner will receive a prize of 2,000 złoty, and the remaining winners 1,000 and 700 złoty. Special Partner Prizes will also be awarded, funded by the Gdańsk Museum, whose branch includes the Amber Museum, as well as the Academy of Fine Arts in Gdańsk, the International Amber Association, and the Polish Academy of Sciences Gdańsk Library.
The rules, entry form, and a film report from the 1st "Amber. Nature" Symposium – an event accompanying the Competition – can be found on the website exlibrisgdansk.pl.
For information about the Competition, contact Paweł Jarczewski: pawel.jarczewski@gak.gda.pl.