Visual Art Open 2026 Judging Panel: The Experts Shaping Contemporary Art

Meet the Visual Art Open 2026 Judging Panel

The Visual Art Open has unveiled the full judging panel for its 2026 edition, bringing together an extraordinary assembly of artists, curators, critics, and cultural leaders from across the contemporary art world.

Each member of the panel combines deep expertise with a commitment to supporting artists, ensuring a rigorous and thoughtful evaluation of submissions. From socially engaged practice to international gallery experience, this year’s judges represent a broad spectrum of voices, perspectives, and disciplinary approaches.

Addi Aegisdottir

Addi Aegisdottir, Creative Director at Mall Galleries, combines extensive knowledge of the

primary and secondary art markets with a deep commitment to empowering artists. At Mall Galleries, home of the Federation of British Artists, she works closely with the CEO, Chair, and Board of Trustees to create exhibitions, prizes, and professional development opportunities.

Over the past three years, she launched the Mall Galleries Art Consultancy, helping private and corporate clients commission and curate artworks by both emerging and established artists. Prior to Mall Galleries, Addi held senior positions at Everard Read, Africa’s oldest commercial gallery, and the UK’s leading private Fine Art Dealers, working internationally at art fairs including TEFAF Maastricht, Frieze, and The Armory Show.

Stephanie Dieckvoss

Stephanie Dieckvoss brings over 15 years of experience in cultural management across galleries and international art fairs. She has managed high-profile exhibitions including Anish Kapoor at the Serpentine Gallery, and raised over £2 million for gallery expansion through partnerships with Sotheby’s.

Stephanie is an Associate Lecturer at Central Saint Martins and regularly teaches on the business of the art market for IESA London. Her research spans contemporary art markets, art and conflict, globalisation, and private museums, and she serves as London Art Market Correspondent for Handelsblatt. She holds MAs in Art History from the University of Hamburg and the Courtauld Institute of Art, and an MBA (Public Services) from Warwick Business School.

Tabish Khan

Tabish Khan is a writer, critic, curator, speaker, and podcaster dedicated to making art accessible. He visits hundreds of exhibitions annually, covering major blockbusters and emerging shows, writing for Londonist, FAD, Artsy, Elephant, Stir World, and the New York Observer.

Tabish co-hosts The Good, The Bad and The Arty podcast, has judged numerous prizes, and serves as trustee of City & Guilds London Art School and Discerning Eye. He is also an honorary trustee of ArtCan and a critical friend of UP Projects, supporting public art initiatives across the UK.

On the importance of competitions in an artist’s career, critic and curator Tabish Khan highlights their visibility and professional impact. “You can have the best artwork in the world, but if nobody sees it, it won’t make an impact,” he explains.

“Competitions like this are a great way to get your work noticed by galleries, curators, and writers. They also show me that an artist believes in their practice and is willing to put themselves forward to be part of public exhibitions.”

Hannah Grout

Hannah Grout, Senior Fair Manager at The Other Art Fair presented by Saatchi Art, advises both UK-based and international artists on curation, exhibitor development, and feature management. She draws on her academic background in contemporary art theory (MA, Goldsmiths) and history of art (BA, Leeds) alongside years of marketing and PR experience to help artists present their work professionally and effectively.

Hannah’s combined expertise ensures engaging, dynamic, and professionally curated art fair experiences.

Hanna ten Doornkaat

Hanna ten Doornkaat is a sculptor, curator, and co-founder of whiteNoise_Projects. Her curatorial work includes major exhibitions such as whiteNoise_Projects and Past and Present Tense at The Crypt Gallery, London, and St. Pancras, Lines, and other shows at One Paved Court, Richmond.

Hanna was shortlisted for the Jerwood Drawing Prize, Royal Academy Summer Exhibition, and Derwent Art Prize multiple times, and exhibited in Personal Structures during the Venice Biennale. Her practice and curatorial work continue to champion both emerging and established artists across the UK and internationally.

Li Hao

Li Hao, 2025 VAO Overall Winner, is an internationally recognised artist and architect

whose work focuses on social engagement, collective experience, and public participation. Founder of SPARK, a socially engaged art initiative working with underrepresented communities,

Li creates immersive, site-specific projects using light, technology, and reflective materials. His projects transform everyday spaces into platforms for shared creativity and cultural dialogue, and have been realised in cities including Shanghai and Shenzhen. Li has received numerous accolades including the 2024 International Award for Public Art – East and Southeast Asia Excellence Award, and the iF Social Impact Design Prize in 2021.

Reflecting on his experience as the 2025 VAO Overall Winner, Li Hao highlights the opportunities and recognition that accompany the prize. “If you are fortunate enough to be selected, what you gain is not just a title, it’s a real exhibition and exposure, a space to meet artists from many different countries and backgrounds face to face, and unexpected professional opportunities and collaborations,” he explains:

“Taking part in VAO made me feel that my practice was listened to and taken seriously.”

Adelaide Damoah

Adelaide Damoah, RWA Academician and FRSA, is a London-based multidisciplinary artist whose research-led practice spans painting, performance, collage, and photography. Her work explores colonialism, ecology, joy, and feminism, and is held in prominent public and private collections, including the UK Government Art Collection.

Adelaide has exhibited worldwide, including at Gagosian, and serves on arts charity boards while frequently judging competitions and delivering public talks.

On the impact of art awards, artist Adelaide Damoah emphasises their transformative potential. “Awards like the Visual Art Open are transformative,” she reflects.

“They offer far more than prize money – providing visibility, professional credibility, and recognition that can elevate an artist’s practice, helping a career move from merely surviving to truly thriving.”

Ella Baudinet

Ella Baudinet is an internationally acclaimed artist known for her oil paintings blending

abstraction, realism, and surrealism. Her work explores dualities of mind and body, consciousness and subconsciousness, creating space for reflection and healing. Ella’s paintings are collected globally across Australia, the UK, the US, and Spain.

She received First Prize in Painting at the XV Florence Biennale – Lorenzo il Magnifico Award, and over eight years has cultivated close relationships with collectors and galleries worldwide.

Elizabeth Fortescue

Elizabeth Fortescue, Sydney-based visual arts journalist and writer, contributes regularly to leading Australian and international publications including the Australian Financial Review, The Art Newspaper, Sydney Morning Herald, and LOOK Magazine for the Art Gallery of New South Wales.

She also writes for Artonview, Artist Profile Magazine, and OpenBook Magazine for the State Library of NSW. Known for insightful, in-depth arts journalism, Elizabeth brings context, critical analysis, and storytelling to contemporary art discourse.

With such a distinguished panel in place, the Visual Art Open 2026 is set to offer a discerning and richly informed judging process. Artists are encouraged to submit their work, with the opportunity to have it considered by some of the most respected voices across contemporary art, from socially engaged practitioners to gallery directors and critics with a global perspective.

Artists looking to take their practice to the next level are invited to submit their work for VAO26. Apply now and gain the chance to be reviewed by this distinguished panel.