Delve into the archives. Discover a story that moves you. Be inspired by images from the past and give shape to today’s questions. What images do we need now?
Delve into the archives. Discover a story that moves you. Be inspired by images from the past and give shape to today’s questions. What images do we need now?
Which images change the world?
Images do more than simply make things visible. They can spark protest, strengthen solidarity, give a movement a distinct identity and set social change in motion.
In Atria’s collection, you’ll find thousands of examples of this. Posters, leaflets, magazines, photographs, books, badges and campaign materials created by generations of activists, designers and artists. Sometimes spontaneous and raw, sometimes professionally designed, but always intended to mobilise people.
Many of these images have now become part of our collective memory. They show how previous generations fought for equal rights, freedom and self-determination.
But which images belong to our time? Which forms, symbols and stories give voice to today’s social issues? Which images can bring people together, spur them into action and inspire a new generation?
Be inspired by the Atria collection
Atria is celebrating its ninetieth anniversary. What began as an initiative by three women who recognised the importance of knowledge, documentation and research for social change has grown into a leading international collection on the history of women’s gender equality and women’s history. Our collection holds countless stories of struggle, resistance, hope, solidarity and change.
For this ‘Reflection on the Collection’ competition, we are inviting HKU students to take a single image, object or document from the collection as a starting point and create a contemporary artistic or design-based response to it. Not a reconstruction of the past, but a new interpretation.
The assignment
Choose an image or object from the Atria collection and create a new work that reflects on it. Your work can take various forms, such as: graphic design, illustration, photography, video, animation, digital media, installation or mixed media. You are free to choose your own form and approach. However, it must be clearly evident how your work relates to the chosen collection piece and which contemporary theme or issue you are exploring.
What can you win?
A panel will select five entries from all submissions to form the shortlist. The shortlisted entries will be presented by Atria and will be in with a chance of winning:
Expert Jury Prize: €500
Audience Award: €500
In addition, the selected works will be exhibited at Atria and within the HKU, and the creators will have the opportunity to present their work during a special edition of Atria’s StudieSalon.
Submit
Upload via the entry form:
an image, video or PDF of your work
a brief description (max. 300 words) explaining:
which item from the collection you have chosen
how this has inspired you
which current issue you are exploring
File formats:
Images: JPG or PNG
Video: MP4
Documents: PDF
Maximum file size:
100 MB per file
Key dates
Call for applications opens: 15 October 2026
Inspiration sessions at Atria:
26 October 2026, 2 – 5 pm
30 October 2026, 2 –5 pm
2 November 2026, 2 – 5 pm
Closing date for submissions: 31 January 2027
Announcement of shortlist: 9 February 2027
Announcement of winners: 8 March 2027
Why now?
Although much has been achieved, equality, freedom and human rights are still far from being a given worldwide.
Hard-won rights are under pressure and social inequality continues to manifest itself time and again, often in new forms. That is precisely why we need new images. Images that raise questions. Images that challenge. Images that connect. Images that envision a future.
We’re keen to hear your answer!
Contact
For further information, please contact Marlène Kenens at m.kenens@atria.nl
