Tia Mirza, a third-year student on AUB’s BA (Hons) Fine Art degree, has had a painting included in Soho Open, a new exhibition hosted by Great Pulteney Street Gallery in Soho, London.
The dynamic new exhibition, which takes place from 5–23 November, and is presented by The Soho Housing Association in collaboration with Parker Harris, welcomed submissions from UK-based artists, makers, designers, and creatives across all mediums, creating a vibrant platform for diverse and original artistic voices.
With no prescribed theme, the selection panel – comprising critic, curator and AUB Industry Patron Paul Carey-Kent, artists Frances Richardson and Shanti Panchal, Mervyn Metcalf (Chair of the Holburne Museum), and gallery director Monika Bobinska – chose 105 outstanding works by 97 artists.
Tia shared the news via her Instagram, @tia_arttt, saying, “My painting ‘Devlin’ will be exhibited in the GPS Gallery in Soho from the 5th to the 23rd of November!
“This is my first time applying for an open call and I am so grateful to have been one of the selected artists for this exhibition. I cannot wait to see the other artworks!”
Tia adds, “I feel so grateful to have been selected as I really wasn't expecting it. I dressed my friend in a Vivienne Westwood-inspired corset top that I made for the project to reflect on how clothing holds no gender.”
Shortlisted artists will be eligible for the Leslie Hardcastle Memorial Prize, a £500 award recognising one exceptional submission. In addition, up to three artists will be offered a solo exhibition at the gallery, reflecting Soho Open’s commitment to nurturing and celebrating artistic talent.
“I was delighted to be invited as a selector for this inaugural exhibition,” says Mervyn Metcalf. “Soho has such a rich and vibrant history in the art world, and we hope this show both reflects and draws inspiration from that legacy. The submissions were exceptional, and we believe the resulting exhibition is both magnificent and meaningful.”
