How To Participate in the Dada Luz Exhibition

To have your work exhibited in the exhibition, and thereby become a deity in Dada Luz, you simply need to create a self-portrait.

Alternatively, you can create a portrait of someone who is special to you and/or your community, thereby deifying them.

You do not need to be a professional artist, although some of you will be.

Any medium is acceptable. There is no formal selection process, just first come, first served, But you must contact me asap to be included.

I welcome submissions from representatives of marginalised communities.

Racist, misogynistic, transphobic and homophobic work will be rejected.

Entries should be framed and have D rings and picture hanging chord one-third of the way down from the top of the self-portrait. To guarantee your place in the exhibition, you must

1. CONTACT me now to check there is still a slot for you.

2. Submit a photo of the finished work by 30 September 2026

There is a £10 portrait entry fee. 100% of all entry fees will contribute to paying performers at the Dada Luz Celebration event on the evening of 31st October 2026 (see below)

Performance and Additional Art.

There are a few opportunities to co-create/perform short dramatic episodes, performance poetry, dance, drama and music. There may also be limited scope for some arists to contribute a second work. Contact me if you wish to do any of these.

You are free to sell your exhibited work at the exhibition and prints of this work. Bear Steps take a 25% commission.

WHAT IS DADA LUZ?

Dada Luz is an abbreviation of Communidad da Luz, or Community of Light.

The Dada Luzian civilisation has a vertical structure. At its roots lies a fungal network which provides nutrients and connectivity for all living things. It acts as the foundational nervous system for everything above.

The next level is tiny and consists mostly of spindly pillars in puddles, upon which stand ‘The Men Who Know They Are Right’. Some are contemporary, others represent historical and future monsters. Many are well-known monsters from our own world, who believe they are the most powerful creatures in the Universe. But all soon fall into the puddles, to be re-cycled by the fungal network below.

‘The Men Who Know They Are Right’ are like the people chained to the wall inside PLATO’S Cave. They have no awareness of the true extent, rich diversity and harmony of the real universe beyond their infinitessimally, limited horizon.

The third level illustrates much of this overarching diversity. The miracles of existence and creativity are played out daily in this extensive region. It is criss-crossed with seemingly endless ladders, steps and rocky climbs. Everywhere, there are creatures striving to ascend. Demons (benign and malignant) weave in and out of these scenes.

At the highest level of DADA LUZ reside the Community of Deities. These are the beings who have become knowledgeable of the healing and unifying power of creativty. They seek to inspire those who climb towards this realisation. In essence the core theme is ‘Artists Create and Enhance Communities’. These deities are neither infallible nor omnipotent. They can and occasionally do fall when their actions transgress the Dada Luz community code. This code can be summed up in two words: BE KIND