Blue

Site:Brooklyn Gallery presents "Blue," an online exhibition running January 31 - February 28, 2026, exploring the enduring significance of blue in contemporary art. For centuries, blue has held a singular place in the artist's palette—once rejected as barbaric by the Greeks and Romans, it became essential by medieval and Renaissance times when ultramarine, drawn from prized lapis lazuli, was reserved for sacred subjects like the Virgin Mary's robes. The synthetic invention of Prussian blue in the eighteenth century democratized access, while the nineteenth century brought cobalt and cerulean into widespread use. In the twentieth century, artists like Yves Klein claimed blue had inherently metaphysical qualities, creating his signature International Klein Blue, while Picasso's Blue Period used the color to explore melancholy and isolation.

Site:Brooklyn seeks contemporary artists who continue to investigate blue's emotional power and cultural role—from its associations with technology and screens to its role in discussions of climate, water, and the natural world. The exhibition is open to artworks across all mediums that explore why blue remains one of art's most compelling colors. This juried exhibition is open to all artists 18 years of age or older working in all media. All artwork must be priced for sale and available during the exhibition, with artists retaining a 60% commission on sales.

The exhibition is juried by Claire Voon, a writer and editor based in Brooklyn whose work has appeared in the New York Times, New York Magazine, Artforum, ARTnews, Frieze, and other publications. Entry fee is $26 for three images, with an additional $10 for each extra image (maximum 12 images total). Notification letters will be sent January 21, 2025, and accepted artists will be required to upload high-resolution files of their work.