Silent Voices – Award Announcement
From 86 submissions received from around the world, NxEra Art Gallery proudly presents the selected artists of Silent Voices, an international open call exploring the language of silence, identity, and resilience in contemporary art.
Our curatorial jury carefully evaluated each entry, recognizing works that move beyond words—translating inner tension, memory, and emotion into powerful visual statements.
The Grand Prize Winner was selected for the conceptual depth, material experimentation, and emotional authenticity that best embodied the theme of Silent Voices.
Second and Spotlight Place Winners demonstrated distinctive approaches that echo strength and sensitivity through unique artistic vocabularies.
Honorable Mentions were awarded to artists whose works contribute remarkable perspectives to this collective dialogue—a visual symphony of unseen and unheard narratives.
We extend our heartfelt congratulations to all participating artists for their creativity, courage, and dedication. Together, they have shaped Silent Voices into a global chorus of introspection and renewal.
Curated by the NxEra Art Gallery Jury, New York, 2025
The Grand Prize Winner
Washington Rhodes is a contemporary artist whose anthropomorphic series delves into humanity and representation. Drawing from his impactful experience as an educator in underserved communities, Rhodes infuses his work with profound social commentary. He utilizes the recurring "box motif" as a powerful symbol, rejecting and challenging negative societal narratives, particularly those impacting people of color. His art transcends observation, inviting viewers into a dialogue on the human condition within the contexts of space and time. Rhodes's visually compelling and emotionally resonant pieces offer a fresh perspective, making him a significant voice in contemporary art.
Instagram: @washington.rhodes
Washington Rhodes is a contemporary artist whose anthropomorphic series delves into humanity and representation.
Second Prize Winner
Uliana Novak is a self-taught artist of Russian origin based in Finland. A recurring theme in her artwork is the image of a window; this symbol holds significant importance for her. After having been diagnosed a few years ago with Autism Spectrum Disorder, she can now better understand her peculiarities, which she had previously not found an explanation for. Her paintings serve as a window into her inner world, representing both her means of observing and understanding the external world and her way of sharing herself with others, allowing her to connect in a way that feels genuine. Her sociological perspective informs her art, as she narrates stories about people and society through whimsical sketches that blend humour and depth. Influenced by social satire, caricature traditions, and naïve art, her work serves as a playful yet thought-provoking lens on human nature
Website: https://uliananovak.com/
Uliana Novak is a self-taught artist of Russian origin based in Finland. A recurring theme in her artwork is the image of a window; this symbol holds significant importance for her.
Spotlight Place Winners
Spotlight Artists demonstrated distinctive approaches that echo strength and sensitivity through unique artistic vocabularies.
Dutch painter Magnolia Wood creates powerful and introspective "inner visual landscapes". Her work is influenced by a diverse background in ballet, fashion, and theater, which now informs her contemplative painting practice. Wood’s art distills personal narratives into universal themes, inviting viewers to find their own stories within her rich, ambiguous compositions.
Employing a blend of graphic, figurative, and abstract shapes, Wood achieves a unique balance between bold brushwork and intentional vagueness. Her process often begins with reference images, which she reshapes to capture an emotional or atmospheric truth rather than a direct likeness. The result is a series of captivating paintings that evoke memory, introspection, and the unseen facets of everyday life.
Based in Amsterdam, Wood’s work has been featured in several exhibitions, including a recent feature in the Visual Arts Journal and an exhibition with the Florence Contemporary Art Gallery. Her paintings are now held in private collections, confirming her place as a compelling and ascendant voice in contemporary art.
Instagram: @_magnolia_wood_
Website: http://www.magnolia-wood.com
Andy Sylvester studied Fine Art Painting at Wolverhampton Polytechnic from 1984 -87. Since graduating, he has worked both in art education and as a practising painter.
He has shown widely in group and solo exhibitions and works to commission. Andy has worked in several public and private collections.
His work has been long-listed for a number of prizes, and he has had work published in a number of magazines.
Instagram: @andysylvester2
Website: www.andysylvesterartist.com
Originally from Milan, born in 1978, Emanuele Bevilacqua is an artist and painter residing in the serene Tuscan countryside. Embracing art as a lifestyle, Bevilacqua seeks a balance of beauty in imperfection. His artistic journey was forged outside traditional institutions; he honed his craft through immersion in urban environments, finding inspiration and lessons in the vibrant tapestry of street life.
Bevilacqua's works feature surreal figures brought to life with bold and continuous lines, often extending beyond the canvas itself. These figures intertwine with intricate patterns and vibrant colors, creating a captivating interplay that defines his distinctive style. He primarily employs Indian ink on high-quality paper, a medium that underscores the unique character and depth of his creations. Through this unconventional approach, Bevilacqua invites viewers to engage with his art on a deeply personal and expressive level.
Instagram: @emanuelebevilacqua.it
Honorable Mentions
Awarded to artists whose artworks contribute remarkable perspectives to this collective dialogue—a visual symphony of unseen and unheard narratives.
Efrat (Effi) Baler is a New York-based multidisciplinary artist and educator whose work challenges traditional artistic boundaries. A graduate of the Bezalel Academy of Art, Baler creates sculptural paintings and hybrid constructions that seamlessly blend two- and three-dimensional forms. She expands the language of the painted surface by integrating unconventional materials and revealing the hidden sides of the canvas, inviting viewers to engage with her art from multiple perspectives. Her art is a tapestry woven from diverse cultural experiences and global geographies. She delves into themes of transformation, hybridity, and hidden narratives, drawing inspiration from everyday objects and personal stories. Her work encourages viewers to engage deeply, revealing the unseen layers of meaning beneath the surface. Her impressive career includes over 90 group exhibitions and 8 solo shows across the US and internationally. Notably, ARTFORUM founding editor Philip Leider recognized her as one of the most promising artists of her generation, and she was featured in "PROMISE–Ten Bezalel Artists of the Last Decade". Effi is also a recipient of the America-Israel Cultural Foundation grant, and her critically acclaimed work is held in private collections worldwide.
Instagram: @ef4art
Website: www.efrat-art.com
Keisuke Takeda is based in Fujisawa, Japan.
He graduated from the MA Fine Art at Chelsea College of Arts in the University of the Arts London, UK
His painting is drawn with natural materials like fruits, etc. Its irregularities. Each fragments have individuality. In his painting, the one brushstroke evokes your imagery.
Instagram: @keiiiskyyy
Website: https://keiiiskyyy.weebly.com
Mahrk Gotié, from a writing background, uses acrylic Posca on canvas and paper. His style, devoid of embellishments, focuses on simplicity to encourage the exchange of emotions. Oscillating between various styles, he explores themes of disenchanted childhood, chaos, and experimentation. His works, both intimate and personal, exude authenticity and invite sober reflection on appearance and communication.
Instagram: @mahrkgotie
Website: https://www.singulart.com/fr/artiste/mahrk-goti%C3%A9-60334
Melike Uçku is an acclaimed Istanbul-based artist whose work explores themes of existence and the universe's enigma through abstract forms. She embarked on her artistic journey after completing her business administration degree, delving into the world of plastic arts at Yeditepe University. There, she honed her skills under the guidance of renowned Turkish avant-garde masters like Prof. Özdemir Altan, Prof. Zahit Büyükişleyen, and Prof. Ergin İnan.
Uçku earned her Master's in Plastic Arts in 2011 and later obtained her Proficiency/Doctorate in Art in 2018 with a doctoral thesis focused on the impact of Abstract Expressionism on painting, particularly as exemplified by Gerhard Richter's work.
Her artwork has graced numerous national and international exhibitions, and her scholarly contributions have been featured in various symposiums. Further showcasing her expertise, Uçku authored the book "On the Art of Gerhard Richter," published in November 2022. Her captivating pieces are held in prestigious collections such as the Ritz Carlton and Çavuşoğlu. Melike Uçku continues to create compelling art from her studio in Istanbul.
Instagram: @melike_ucku
Sebastian Schuster’s journey in professional photography has been marked by passion and persistence. He has inherited his interest in photography from his father and grandfather. Currently, as a Fine Art Photographer, Sebastian Schuster takes pride in his contributions to the art community, consistently delivering evocative portraits and wall art that have garnered international acclaim.
Sebastian’s recent endeavors have seen success in various international photographic art competitions, a testament to his proficiency in fine art photography and photo retouching. These skills, honed over many years, have enabled him to produce work that resonates on a global scale, earning multiple major awards at the New Zealand Academy of Fine Arts and securing publications in prestigious media outlets. His artworks have been exhibited in various galleries in Europe, the USA, and New Zealand.
Instagram: @s.schuster.photo.art
Website: http://sebastian-schuster.pixels.com
Lucas Goubert's artistic journey, rooted in Bogotá, Colombia, began in 1995 with a single illustration inspired by Gabriela Mistral's poem Último Árbol. After a challenging banking career led to burnout in early 2024, Goubert redirected his focus entirely to art, now finding refuge and purpose in his studio in Paris. His diverse practice encompasses collage, painting, drawing, and more recently, performance and installation. Goubert's art captivates viewers with its visceral and impassioned exploration of human experience, particularly the complexities of vice and virtue as characters navigate the edge of chaos. His aesthetic embraces a raw, unconventional beauty, valuing chaotic harmony over traditional ideals. Goubert's talent has been showcased in notable exhibitions across Paris, New York, Naples, and his native Bogotá. This exhibition presents a captivating series of three sculptural collages, each inspired by his Tarot card creations from 2024 and 2025. The central figures in these works appear suspended, or "levitating," through the delicate manipulation of cotton threads, juxtaposed with the striking inclusion of nails, wire, and matches, creating a unique and evocative visual narrative.
Instagram: @lucas_goubert
Website: http://www.lucasgoubert.com
Valerie Timmons, a Kentucky native, began her lifelong creative journey with a childhood Polaroid camera and later expanded her practice to painting. Her visual art reflects a rich intellectual background, encompassing formal studies in both law and geology.
Drawing inspiration from the natural world of central Kentucky, Timmons's work explores the intersection of lived experience and the nuanced environments she inhabits. Through her lens and brush, she captures the essence of the local landscape and its inhabitants, revealing a distinctive artistic voice.
This vision was formally recognized in 2021 with her acceptance into the prestigious Kentucky Crafted Program. Timmons's art invites the viewer to see the familiar world with new eyes, celebrating the subtle beauty found just beyond the surface of the everyday.
Instagram: @valerietimmonsart
Website: http://valerietimmonsart.com
Günther Brandl is a German artist. In his work, he attempts to process and visualize the emotions associated with my impressions and the associations that arise during the work process. His starting point is often frottages, monotypes, and embossed prints made from a variety of materials and places that hold meaning for him, as well as traces that I create with drawing tools or sometimes unusual painting utensils.
Nature, with its manifestations, colors, and details, as well as threatening scenarios, serves as another essential trigger and driving force for his work. In the creative process, traces of color and interlacing lines emerge more or less consciously from this foundation, processing the original impressions and sensations. Most of his works are created entirely intuitively, determined by his emotional state and experiences, without, however, real-life motifs influencing the composition.
Instagram: @brandl0603
Nazlı Buberoğlu was born in Istanbul, Türkiye. Her works are considered incredibly compelling because it is deeply rooted in life's complexities. She uses art to process experiences, exploring personal introspection and broader social issues. The pieces shift between abstract forms and recognizable figures, always questioning "why, what, when, where, who, and how" as a starting point. A profound personal experience in 2016 became a turning point, highlighting art's capacity to heal and transform. The evocative lines echo the rhythms of a heartbeat, brain waves, and panic attacks. She incorporates everyday objects like threads, leaves, and scraps of paper, creating a tangible link to life and making the art relatable.
Instagram: @nazlibuberoglu
Website: www.nazlibuberoglu.com
James Henry is a New York-based abstract artist and creative designer whose work explores impermanence, memory, and the fleeting sense of place. Represented by NXERA Art Gallery, Henry's layered compositions, crafted with acrylics, pastels, collage, and screen print, reflect on transformation and the textures of lived experience. His physical and intuitive process often incorporates found materials and fragments of text that are buried and revealed through paint, with each layer suggesting presence, erosion, and what has been left behind. Bold color is strategically placed against muted tones, not to describe a physical location, but to evoke memory and the quiet rhythm of time passing.
Drawing inspiration from the overlooked fragments of daily life—the decay, the beauty, and the in-between—Henry seeks to create space for stillness and reflection in a rapidly shifting world. A Staten Island native, his work is a powerful and introspective voice in contemporary abstraction. He studied at St. John’s University and The New School, and has exhibited at Sims Contemporary, Van Der Plas Gallery, with Visionary Projects, and at regional art fairs. In summer 2025, he presented his first solo exhibition in Yonkers, New York.
Instagram: @jameshenry
Website: https://www.studiojameshenry.com