Open Doors is an international ministry serving persecuted Christians and the Suffering Church worldwide. The ministry was founded in 1955 when a Dutch Christian, Brother Andrew, risked his freedom to smuggle Bibles in Communist Countries. Today, more than 50 years on, Bible printing and distribution remains central to our ministry, but the work has broadened to include leadership training, practical aid for widows, orphans and prisoners, and community development.

underground is the dynamic youth division of Open Doors, aimed to mobilise young people to get involved in supporting the Suffering Church and also challenge their own faith in response to the stories of persecuted Christians.

Through organising this competition we hope to be able to engage individuals with the real issues of persecution that face many Christians around the world in an experiential, creative way.

Any number of entries may be submitted by each entrant. Group entries of many small individual works are also acceptable. If you have any queries, please do not hesitate to contact us.

If possible and appropriate, then we would prefer it. This is as a measure to protect your own artwork in transportation and showing, as well as presenting a more professional finish to your work, suitable for exhibition purposes. We do not state that work must be framed, as there may be many reasons why this would not be possible.

NB Suitable frames include any well-made, durable wooden frames that ensure the protection of the surface of your work and are robust for transportation. Some frame finishes (e.g. gesso, lacquer, etc) are fragile and not durable for handling purpose, so we advise against those.

No. Although we would like to encourage the process of engaging with a particular aspect of the themes of this competition through the production of a specifically related piece of work, if you have artwork that you have already completed on this topic, or a closely related one, that you deem suitable for this exhibition, then it will be welcomed.

No. Although artworks will be automatically entered into the final auction after the exhibition, you can opt-out of this process on the application form and have your work returned, or collect it yourself after the last exhibition. See the TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF ENTRY for full details on this.

We are looking for a short, written piece of between 100-400 words explaining the motives behind your pieces and also any symbolism included. The reason for this is to enable understanding of your art when it comes to the selection process and eventual judging. Answers to the following questions might help formulate your written accompaniment:

• What have you tried to depict in your piece?
• What emotions are evident in your work?
• How did you feel while producing it?
• Which story or aspect of the Persecuted Church particularly motivated this work?
• How did you feel you connected with those who suffer for their faith while completing this?
• Why did you choose the medium you worked in/colours/shapes/style you used?
• What do you like best about your work?

Please send all completed application forms, written explanation of work (100-400 words) and donation (made payable to 'Open Doors') along with either an initial photo of your artwork or the item itself to:

Art of Persecution,
Open Doors UK,
PO Box 6,
Witney,
OX29 6WG

Please pay the full delivery costs of your package, and consider postal insurance if you would want to claim costs for damage or loss of your item(s)

Once we have received your entry, will be in touch regarding the status of your submission and provide further information on what to do next.