AFTER LOVE:

Broken Hearts &
Broken Bodies

OPEN CALL

What happens when the excitement, happiness, and comfort of romantic love have departed, leaving a trail of emotional devastation in their wake? 

What does it mean to suffer from a broken heart? 

The answer to this seemingly simple question is much more complex than we might imagine, and changes substantially over time and space. After Love: Broken Hearts & Broken Bodies is a group exhibition which invites artists to share their creative responses to the experience of romantic heartbreak, relationship breakdown, and survival strategies in the aftermath of romantic endings.

Both emerging and established artists are encouraged to submit works into this radically inclusive exhibition where all eligible works will be shown - reflecting the ubiquity of heartbreak as an emotionally devastating experience which can affect us all across age, experience, and background. 

This exhibition is part of a major project by historian Dr Sally Holloway, which charts the evolution of romantic heartbreak as an embodied emotional experience over four centuries of history.

Funded by a Research, Development and Engagement Fellowship from the Arts & Humanities Research Council, the project partners with a range of organisations including Oxfordshire Mind; the Oxford Visual Arts Development Agency (OVADA); the visual artists Jill Mueller and Julie Light, and the Poetry Pharmacy.

Ultimately, After Love urges us to think critically and creatively about what it means to be broken hearted in the modern age.

About the After Love Project
View terms & conditions
Submit your work

KEY INFO

  • Submission deadline 21 September

    Installation Date 3 October 2026, 10am-3pm

    Exhibition Runs 7 -18 October

    Launch event Wed 6 October 6-9pm

    Deinstall and collection of works Sunday 18 Oct 5-7pm or Mon 19 Oct 10am-2pm

    Exhibition Opening hours
    Thurs - Sunday 11am - 6pm

  • OVADA Warehouse

    14a Osney Lane

    OXFORD

    OX1 1NJ

    The gallery is tucked down a small street in central Oxford, very close to the Oxford Railway Station and Westgate Shopping Centre.

    The nearest public parking is at Oxpens, Westgate Car Parking or Oxford Rail Main Parking.

    When using google maps to find us, please make sure you enter OVADA Warehouse as opposed to our street address.

  • Age
    Any artist over the age of 18, who is resident in the UK may submit work to the exhibition

    Response to the theme
    Submissions must respond to the themes of Dr Sally Holloway’s After Love Project: drawing on ideas and experiences around romantic heartbreak.
    For more information about this, please visit:
    https://www.afterlove.uk/newwriting/introducing-after-love

    Drop off and collection of artworks
    The artwork must be able to be dropped off at

    OVADA Warehouse, 14a Osney Lane, OX1 1NJ on:

    Saturday 3 October between 10am-3pm

    And collected on:

    Sunday 18 October
    between 5pm - 7pm
    or
    Monday 19 October
    between 10am-1pm

    Unfortunately, we do not have the capacity to accept submissions via post.

    You are welcome to send someone in your stead to drop off or collect your work if you cannot make it in person on the day

    Originality and Rights
    Entries must be original, not be copies or derivatives based in any way on other copyrighted or published paintings, photographs or other artistic work.
    Works must be made by the artist and not AI generated

    Materials
    We welcome most mediums and materials, including painting; drawing; mixed media; collage; textiles; printmaking; ceramics; sculpture; photography; performance and video.

    All works must be able to be wall hung or free standing. We have very limited plinths available.

    Please email us to discuss performance submissions as these will need additional logistical support: afterromanticlove@gmail.com

    Scale
    The maximum size for any artwork is 2mx2m

    Digital exhibition
    All artists agree to images of their work being used on the After Love project website and digital version of the exhibition made using the ArtSteps platform: https://www.artsteps.com
    All works will be credited and copyright resides with the artist

    No harmful materials
    We will not accept any work submitted that contains harmful substances or is deemed offensive to/contains hate speech against a minority culture and/or group. We will not accept work that is sexist, homophobic, racist, transphobic, ageist or ableist/


    If you have questions about the eligibility of your submissions, please contact us at afterromanticlove@gmail.com