Jock Mooney, Discontinued (detail Nanna). Courtesy aspex

aspex gallery in Portsmouth has announced the eight artists on the shortlist for its biennial open submission, EMERGENCY³.

It’s the third biennial at the gallery, which specialises in supporting contemporary artists in the early stages of their career.

The shortlisted artists and collaborators are Paul Becker, Jennifer Douglas, Pil and Galia Kollective, Jock Mooney, Magali Reus, Benjamin Senior, Dolly Thompsett and Cathy Ward and Eric Wright.

Their work will be showcased in EMERGENCY³, running from December 1 2007 to January 27 2008, and the winner will be announced at the opening on November 30. The prize is a solo exhibition at aspex in 2008.

Pil & Galia Kollectiv, The Future for Less, video still. Courtesy aspex

The works in the exhibition cover a wide range of themes, from consumerism and religion to carnivalesque sexuality and war. It contains painting, prints, drawing, video, sculpture and installation.

“While EMERGENCY³ was not formally curated, the work was selected not only on its own merits but also for how it would fit together with the other chosen works,” commented Joanne Bushnell, Director of aspex.

“This process exposes connections between the concerns and interests of individual artists and the result is a surprisingly coherent exhibition.”

The selectors for the exhibition are curator Hannah Firth, Hales Gallery director Paul Hedge, artist Harold Offeh and aspex Director Joanne Bushnell.

“I anticipate selecting just one artist to win the prize of a solo exhibition will be a real challenge for the judging panel,” said Joanne.