The 9th Graphic Art Biennial of Szeklerland, 2026

Sfântu Gheorghe/Miercurea Ciuc

The Covasna, Harghita and Mureş County Councils, together with Covasna County Cultural Center, the Szekler Museum of Ciuc, the Lăzarea Cultural and Creation Center, the Mureș County Museum and the Transylvanian Art Centre, announce the application for the 9th Graphic Art Biennial of Szeklerland.

The Graphic Art Biennial of Szeklerland announces an open call in 2026 under the title Distortion for the creation and presentation of contemporary graphic works.

The concept of “distortion” is an extremely multifaceted and complex phenomenon: it may refer to physical deformation, psychological displacement, or even metaphorical, axiological, and moral deviation. The term simultaneously carries a subtle value judgment and a critical charge, pointing to the distruption of harmony, states of alienation, as well as the crises and conflicts that define our contemporary world. In today’s political and social context, “distortion” is particularly relevant: fundamental principles, meanings, and truths are shifting away from their original purpose, sliding toward new interpretations.

In contemporary art – including contemporary graphic art – distortion is not merely a formal or geometric deformation, but a complex expressive tool that enables the articulation of conceptual tensions, critical reflections, and visual inquiries. In the artist’s hands, distortion becomes a communicative strategy: through the deliberate deviation of reality, it opens up new perspectives, prompts the viewer to question, and challenges conventional frameworks of interpretation.

Through the concept of distortion – as one of the most powerful expressive tools in today’s artistic discourse – the Graphic Art Biennial of Szeklerland aims, in 2026, to encourage active inquiry and critical reflection among artists. Using contemporary visual language, artists are invited to reflect on the fragility of human perception, social and political pressures, the mutability of historical narratives, and the instability of truth. Through a wide range of graphic techniques, participants are encouraged to experiment with various forms and layers of meaning inherent in the distortion of reality.

We welcome works that approach distortion not as an error, but as a conscious artistic choice, that are capable of generating new, critical, sensitive, or provocative perspectives through the language of contemporary graphic art.

In the spirit of the ideas above, the organizers of the biennial expect the submission of printed graphics created using the following procedures:
– graphic artworks created with traditional procedures of graphic art;
– graphic artworks created using digital methods of image creation and printed with digital devices;
– graphic artworks prepared with digital methods of image creation but printed using traditional methods.

TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF PARTICIPATION IN THE 9TH GRAPHIC ART BIENNIAL OF SZEKLERLAND

The terms and conditions of the biennial have partly changed! Applicants are kindly requested to read the participation guidelines carefully before submitting their works.  

1. PARTICIPANTS

Professional artists and students enrolled in art university are eligible to participate in the biennial if their application is in conformity with the Terms and Conditions included in the Call for Application.
Associations, professional organizations and other groups are not eligible to apply. Artists may apply to the biennial exclusively in their own name.

2. CRITERIA FOR THE SUBMITTED ARTWORKS

– The paper size of the artworks must be minimum 40×40 cm and maximum 100×100 cm.

– The submitted graphic artwork must have been created within the past two years (2024-2026).

– All artworks created using printed graphics procedures are accepted, included in the definition of graphics in terms of high, low and plain print methods (woodcut and linocut, aquaforte, aquatint, mezzotint, lithography, screen printing, individual print, C-print, offset, electrographics, etc.).

– Every artist may submit a maximum of 3 artworks. Every submitted piece counts as 1 artwork. The elements of a series are considered separate artworks; therefore, a three-element series counts as three artworks.

– Artworks created in pencil, pastel, coal, ink and any other unique, non-reproducible technique are not accepted., Likewise photos printed without any form of manipulation, as well as reproductions of artworks (paintings, sculptures, installations, performances, etc.) are not eligible.

3. SUBMISSION

Submission is possible exclusively online, through the application form available at:  www.gbiennial.ro

The digital reproductions of the artworks must be uploaded via the online application form, together with all the required information specified on the website. 

Technical parameters for digital reproductions:
– the file size of each digital image must not exceed 15 MB;
– files must be uploaded in uncompressed jpg, jpeg or png format, at a resolution of 300dpi
– the longer size must be at least 2500 pixels.

Upon successful upload, the system will send a confirmation message to the e-mail address provided during registration. If you experience any difficulties with the online registration process, assistance can be requested at following e-mail: grafikaibiennale@gmail.com

The deadline of submitting the digital reproductions is May 6th, 2026, midnight, 12:00 (UTC+2). 

Important! By submitting an application, the applicant agrees that if their work is selected by the jury, they will send the original artwork(s) by post or will deliver it in person to the biennial.  The organizers do not undertake the printing of the artworks, nor the refunding of printing costs!

Important! During the preselection phase, the original artworks must NOT be sent by post! In such cases, we are unable to return the original artworks.

4. ENTRY FEE

There is no entry fee for the 9th Graphic Art Biennial of Szeklerland.

5. SELECTION OF THE ARTWORKS, EVALUATION BY THE JURY

The jury of the biennial consists of internationally recognized art historians and artists.
The evaluation process will take place in two stages: preselection and the selection of the awarded artworks.
The decisions of the jury cannot be overridden.

5.1 Preselection
The preselection is based on the digital reproductions of the submitted artworks. 

The jury will select the works that qualify for the second phase; these artworks will be included in the catalogue of the biennial.
All participants will be notified of the results by e-mail.

5.2 Sending the artworks qualifying for the second phase by post
The original artworks must be sent by post or delivered in person to the biennial. The works must be numbered and signed in accordance with the international graphics standards.
Original graphic artworks must be sent unframed and without their frames or mat boards, either in a portfolio or in a protective tube, cartoon reels. 

Delivery / shipping address:
Centrul de Cultură al Judeţului Covasna
RO-520008 Sfântu Gheorghe, Str. Libertății nr. 2
Jud. Covasna
România

Tel. 0040757047724

Please indicate on the postal package:
The 9th Graphic Art Biennial of Szeklerland
For cultural purposes only, no commercial value!

The deadline for sending the original artworks by post (postmark date) or submitting them in person is June 10th, 2026.
Artworks sent after the deadline will be automatically excluded.

We do not assume any responsibility and cannot compensate for possible damages that might occur during transport.

5.3 Prizes
– Main Prize of the Biennial
– Nagy Imre Prize
– Plugor Sándor Prizer
– Nagy Pál Prize
– Baász Imre Prize
– Prize of the Consulate General of Hungary in Miercurea Ciuc
– Prize of the Hungarian University of Fine Arts (HU)
– Partium Award offered by the Partium Christian University of Oradea (RO)
– Prize of Eszterházy Károly University of Eger (HU)
– Prize of the MAMŰ Society, Budapest (HU)
– Lăzarea Art Camp Prize
– Pulzus Art Camp Prize

6. EXHIBITION AND AWARDING

The artworks selected for the second phase will be exhibited during the biennial, depending on available exhibition space and the jury’s ranking.

Venue: Transylvanian Art Center, Sfântu Gheorghe/Szekler Museum of Ciuc, Miearcurea Ciuc

Official opening of the biennial: September 30, 2026.

Artists will be informed about the jury’s final decision and the details of the opening ceremony by post, phone or e-mail.

7. FURTHER INFORMATION

– The awarded artworks will remain in the property of the Transylvanian Art Center.

– Each artist has the possibility to donate their work to enrich the graphic art collection of the Transylvanian Art Centre. This intention may be indicated when completing the application form.

– After the exhibitions of the Biennial the exhibited artworks will be sent back to their authors by post within one year, with the exception of donated works.

– The selected artworks will be included in the biennial’s catalogue.

– The organizers of the biennial reserve the right to determine the exhibition arrangement. 

Submission implies the acceptance of the terms and conditions of participation of the biennial!