Merit Contest
Novel Academy Award 2026
Drawing – Painting – Watercolor
Prizes
Cash prizes for the top three finalists:
1st prize
2nd prize
3rd prize
Contest theme
"The Illusion of the Self"
How much of what we believe we are is true? And how much is construction, image, distorted reflection?
"The illusion of the self" invites the artist to question the boundary between identity and appearance. In an era where image dominates, self-perception can become a filter, a mask, a projection.
The theme explores identity not as essence, but as something unstable, ambiguous, changeable.
The works may address the double, the false self, the disconnection between what one is and what one shows, or reflect on the loss of the subject in a virtual, social or inner reality.
It is an invitation to visually represent the paradox of identity as a fragile, subjective and sometimes deceptive construct.
Final exhibition
The top 10 selected for each category will participate in the group exhibition at NAAG – Novel Academy Art Gallery, Rivoli, Italy. The three winners will have preferential positioning in the setup.
Rules
Selection criteria
Consistency with the theme
Technical level of the work
Message of the work
Visual impact
Timeline
Jury
The jury will be composed of industry experts, established artists and gallery curators.
Stefano
Marvulli
Jury President
Sabrina
Loccisano
Gallery Owner
Astrid
Humar
Artist Curator
Andrea
Berlinghieri
Painting Instructor
Marco
Creatini
Painting Instructor
Matteo
Piroscia
Calligraphy Instructor
Stefano
Regaldo
Drawing Instructor