2026 Fesival Themes
Power of Two
To commemorate the 20th anniversary of the Lancaster-Sunway partnership, we want to encourage artists to examine the transformative power of two. Whether two parties collaborate and find common ground, or they interrogate the conflict between them, it always takes two to tango. We want to see how artists reflect on the connecting power of art, examining the dialogue or tension between artist and subject, or anticipating the brief encounter between your art and the viewer. By highlighting works that challenge the ideas of duality and coexistence, we hope to see your artwork thrive in “The Power of Two”, much like the enduring international partnership between Lancaster University and Sunway University.
Crossings
Crossing is to step through borders to reach new grounds. From artwork exploring the geographical boundaries between countries or environments, to movements across the real and the imagined, we welcome works embodying the idea of “Crossings”. We want artists to showcase how people “cross” to survive and resist, or to discover and transform. Whether it is socio-political art on issues of migration and displacement, interdisciplinary work combining research and art, or hybrid experiences crossing the physical and the digital, we hope to spotlight artwork engaging with the contemporary world around us and beyond.
(Maria Cristina Juan, 2023)
Future Memories
As we move towards the future, we build upon the memories of the past. By preserving and excavating the rich archives of the past, we can reshape our world by imagining possible futures. Whether it is artwork presenting postmemory and intergenerational narratives, immersive experiences in response to modern technologies like artificial intelligence, or artistic documentations of the evolving ecological world, “Future Memories” encourages works that dare to remember and dare to dream.