FORMLESS FORM丨无相之相

CONTEMPORARY ART ASIA (CAA) - 2026 SUMMER EXHIBITION

"Animitta" (无相) refers to the ultimate reality that transcends all appearances, forms, and concepts. The Diamond Sutra states, "All conditioned phenomena are like dreams, illusions, bubbles, and shadows", emphasising that the "forms" of the phenomenal world are temporary manifestations arising from the convergence of causes and conditions, not the essence of things. "Formless Form" does not negate the existence of form, but points to a paradoxical truth: when we cease clinging to fixed forms, we can instead touch upon deeper reality. This is a cultivational wisdom that dissolves form through form, reaching the invisible through the visible.

This exhibition focuses on abstract painting, inviting artists with Asian cultural backgrounds (regardless of ethnicity, as long as they have substantial cultural learning or lived experience in Asia) to explore the philosophical proposition of "Formless Form" in contemporary visual expression. We do not seek symbolic Asian elements, nor do we attempt to define what constitutes "Asian aesthetics". What interests us are artists who systematically engage with abstract language. They may be inspired by Asian philosophical thought, or they may depart from personal experience, material experimentation, or pure visual intuition. What matters is how these works establish tension between Form and Formlessness, and how, through the medium of painting, they touch upon the philosophical system underlying abstraction. This exhibition accepts only painting works (drawing and painting).

DATES: 1 July to 5 July 2026.

OPENING & PRIVATE VIEW: 30 June 2026, 18:00 to 20:00.

VENUE: OXO Gallery, OXO Tower Wharf, London SE1 9PH.

OPEN CALL FOR ARTISTS

ELIGIBILITY: Artists with Asian cultural backgrounds (regardless of ethnicity, provided there is a profound history of cultural study or residence within Asia).
MEDIA: Painting and Drawing (works on paper).
THEME: Abstract works exploring the relationship between Form and Formless, and between manifestation and dissolution. Artworks should employ visual languages such as materiality and colour, to present philosophical reflections on "the form of the formless".
DIMENSIONS: Height or width must not exceed 120 cm.
NOTE: We particularly welcome Asian artists currently studying, working, or living in the UK.
APPLICATION DEADLINE: 26 May 2026

OXO Gallery

OXO Gallery is located on the ground floor of OXO Tower Wharf, one of London's most iconic creative landmarks on the South Bank. As a professional exhibition space with 30 years of history, OXO Gallery has long provided a curatorial collaboration platform for arts organisations such as CAA. Situated along the Thames and positioned on the cultural axis between Southbank Centre and Tate Modern, it naturally benefits from a high quality flow of cultural and arts audiences, making it an integral part of the South Bank's artistic ecosystem.

CONTEMPORARY ART ASIA x OXO GALLERY

The collaboration between Contemporary Art Asia and OXO Gallery reflects the commitment of UK social enterprises to Asian art and artists, as well as the UK arts ecosystem's continued attention to diverse cultural expression. As an arts organisation with an international vision, CAA employs a flexible curatorial model that enables diverse collaborative relationships with leading European art spaces, creating exhibition opportunities for Asian artists in the UK and Europe.

OXO Gallery, as one of London's premier exhibition spaces, is CAA's long term strategic partner in London. Through jointly presenting multiple professional exhibitions on different Asian themes each year, both parties have established a mature curatorial system and stable audience base. This means CAA can provide truly professional level exhibition support for Asian artists, including quality exhibition space, OXO Tower South Bank LED screen promotion, social media networks, and arts media resources. This visibility is especially critical for Asian artists developing in the UK. For participating artists, this is not only an exhibition, but an opportunity to access world class art exhibition spaces through CAA's platform resources.

APPLICATION INFORMATION