Manchester based Emma Lloyd was the overall winner of our 2024 AWOL Studios X Comme Ca Art Open Call Exhibition. Here’s a few words about her artwork taken from her website:
Text is the visualisation of language – an attempt to specify what is meant in a clear, minimal fashion. It is uncluttered to the eye, yet once we begin to process what we are presented with, we begin to complicate it. What is the context? How is it meant to be understood / read? Are we pronouncing what is written correctly?
Language – when considered accordingly – is as convoluted as imagery. We can all see what is before us, but how we see is subject to our own experiences and associations. We believe there is objectivity in our observations, yet we inevitably project a personal conception of past experiences onto what is presented. The parameters within which we think and act are unique to the individual, yet they are mapped in part by the languages and environments surrounding us.
I began to consider how language and symbols shape our encounters with art whilst manipulating the text in my book sculptures. Indeed, what do words and non-words do to a piece? In effect, how do we translate them? Whilst musing upon the topic of translation, I have begun exploring ways of distorting and altering the aesthetic form of language; thus displaying the process of translation through visual means.
Emma kindly answered a few questions about her experience with our Open Call exhibition and gave advice for potential entrants. Check out her answers below:
1. What is the importance of events like the Comme Ca Art x AWOL Studios Open Call Exhibition?
Events like the Comme Ca Art x AWOL Studios Open Call provide artists with an opportunity to present their work to new audiences beyond their usual circles. More importantly, they create space for genuine artistic dialogue—something that can be difficult to find in a scene that often feels insular or preoccupied with trends. Open calls have the potential to showcase a much broader range of artistic voices, particularly when they prioritise quality and depth over prescribed themes. When done well, they can introduce fresh perspectives and encourage both artists and audiences to engage more critically with contemporary practice.
2. What inspired you to enter our Open Call in particular?
I was drawn to this opportunity because it seemed to prioritise the strength of the work itself rather than expecting artists to fit into a specific narrative. The judging panel also played a role in my decision. Each member is a respected professional in their field, and their diverse perspectives suggested a genuine openness to different approaches. That made the opportunity feel worthwhile, knowing the work would be considered seriously rather than assessed against a predetermined formula.
3. Do you have any advice for artists entering an Open Call?
The most important thing (which I’m sure everyone says) is to stay true to your practice. Don’t tailor your work to fit what you think curators or judges are looking for—strong, honest work stands out far more than something designed to follow a trend. I’d also say it’s worth being selective. Not every open call is worth entering. Look for those that align with your values and offer artists something meaningful in return, whether that’s visibility, mentoring, funding, or genuine conversations about the work.
The AWOL Studios x Comme Ca Art Open Call Exhibition 2025 is live! For more info and entry, head here ~ Deadline 31.03.25
