Decagon Gallery - "Seen/Unseen" International Photography Exhibition Open Call

• Decagon Gallery

• Deadline: July 8th, 2026

• Theme: Seen/Unseen

• Prize: $1,000 Prize Pool + Online Exhibition

• Entry Fees: Yes

• REGISTRATION: CLICK HERE

---

Seen / Unseen calls for photographic work that navigates the interplay between what can be observed and what remains hidden from view. This theme invites artists to consider not only the visible elements within a frame, but also the unseen dimensions that exist beneath the surface—whether they relate to the subject, the context, or the medium itself. Such exploration may take shape through portraiture, documentary-style images, or compositions where meaning unfolds gradually and is suggested rather than overtly declared.

We are interested in images that hold a sense of unresolved tension, occupying a space where opposites coexist. Photographs that move between presence and absence, certainty and ambiguity, revelation and concealment are particularly compelling. In these works, the visible elements do not provide complete answers; instead, they open pathways for interpretation. The unseen—whether implied through shadow, omission, or narrative suggestion—carries as much weight as what is directly shown.

This theme is deliberately flexible, offering artists the freedom to interpret it through various subjects and methods. Whether focusing on human figures, natural or built environments, or entirely constructed scenes, the emphasis lies in how the idea is expressed visually. The most impactful works will not merely depict the concept but will internalize it, allowing the photograph itself to become a space where complexity, ambiguity, and layered meaning naturally emerge.