THEME
{An Escalation of your desire. You are awake and hungry, yearning to create something carnal, and we're here to receive. Last year's Initiation was a herald of this year's intensities, and now we challenge you to give in. Indulge us with your raw creativity, your unconventional expressions of life, death, and sensuality.}
ROTica is Subspace’s annual celebration of sex, life, decay and death. While these are somewhat conventional themes for art, ROTica searches for sensuality in the unconventional. The show emphasizes disabled, fat, queer and BIPOC bodies, as well as tastes, points-of-view and experiences outside of what is conventionally considered sexy.
Last year’s theme, “Initiation”, was about change, beginnings and awakening. The theme for ROTica 2026 is “Escalation”: the romance is deepening, the passion is burning, and the longing grows more desperate. Now that you’ve awakened, you’re hungry…
H.R. Giger is remembered for creating work that was horrifying, surreal, and above all sensual. For ROTica 2026: Escalation, we are looking for art that explores sensuality, especially in ways outside of conventional artistic depictions.
Show us what it's like to get up in someone’s guts, till you’re picking their flesh out from under your fingernails. Describe what it's like to devour the one you love, or to be swallowed whole by your object of affection. Draw, paint, sculpt, write, perform getting smothered with kisses, scoured raw by an embrace, or having your love coil around you till you gasp for air.
We definitely want art that is unconventional, exciting and challenging; we definitely do NOT want art that glorifies abuse, racism, ableism, homophobia, transphobia, misogyny or any kind of bigotry.
Kink YES. Torture and Non-con NO.
Absolutely no A.I. generated work will be considered
__________
Subspace is looking for concepts for art that you will create to reflect how you interpret the theme.
If you already have art that fits the theme, submit that too!
All artist welcome to apply. ROTica welcomes and uplifts marginalized and underrepresented bodies and experiences.
DISABLED, QUEER, BIPOC, FAT BODIES CENTERED. KINK CELEBRATED
WHEN
Accepting submissions to exhibit at "ROTica: Escalations" in our gallery, with scheduled openings on Saturday January 2nd 2027 4-8pm (during First Saturday Artwalk).
APPLYING ONLY TO PERFORM OR VEND?
The same form deadline and acceptance dates apply, listed below.
SUBMITTING ART?
You can submit up to three pieces and/or concepts, they don't all have to be the same modality. We will include 2D and 3D works as well as live performances - including performance art, poetry/zine readings, music, or anything else you might want to share within the theme. All physical pieces must be delivered locally and ready to hang.
