On March 23, 2026, the Creative Council of the International Competition for Young Artists Kartina Mira officially announced the names of the 14 finalists. The final round of expert selection chose the works by young artists from 1,631 applications from 56 countries. These works will be presented at a large-scale exhibition at the State Tretyakov Gallery branch in Samara.
This stage of the project marked the logical conclusion of the experts' work. After compiling a longlist of 100 top applications and subsequently selecting 50 works for the shortlist, the Creative Council selected the final group of authors in the Painting, Graphics, and Digital Art categories.
The geographic distribution of the finalists confirmed the Competition’s status as a global platform for dialogue. The winners included artists from 11 countries.
The geographic distribution of the finalists confirmed the Competition’s status as a global platform for dialogue. The winners included artists from 11 countries.
A special anniversary nomination, Inspired by Russian, held a special place in the project's structure, marking the 170th anniversary of the State Tretyakov Gallery
Experts in this nomination received 197 original works, whose authors presented their work outside the main awarding list of 14 finalists. The finalist in this nomination is Luong Cao from Vietnam.
"Selecting the winners was a serious professional challenge for the Creative Council. We witnessed an incredible concentration of talent and a sincere desire of young artists to discover their roots. Kartina Mira demonstrated that the demand for meaningful art and respect for national traditions today unites artists from all over the world. These 14 works will form the basis for a new intercultural dialogue that we will see in the museum space," said Natalia Popova, First Deputy CEO of Innopraktika Company and member of the Creative Council.
"As the director of one of the largest museums, it was fascinating for me to observe how artists from different countries approached a common theme while remaining true to their own national traditions. We witnessed a genuine dialogue of cultures: from academic painting to bold experiments in digital art. It is clear that the participants aren’t afraid to work with complex compositions and large-scale forms, which speaks to their maturity. This Competition has once again proven that art remains a universal language capable of speaking about the most important things: life, memory, family values, and the cultural codes that unite people around the world," said Olga Galaktionova, General Director of the State Tretyakov Gallery and Co-Chairman of the Creative Council.
"Kartina Mira Competition presents us with a feast for both the eyes and the mind, distinguished by its sharp contemporary relevance and profound humanistic depth. In the face of the technological wave of generative artificial intelligence in the digital age, the participating artists have responded to and reflected on issues of cultural diversity and the embodiment of national traditions with their unique sensibilities and intellectual energy. They have distilled their contemplations on personal ideals, cultural heritage, national commitment, and the destiny of humanity onto the canvas. Through exquisite technique and deeply meaningful imagery, they portray figures that embody the spirit of our times. This also heightens our anticipation that the artists' ongoing creativity will serve as a bridge connecting the essence of art with its future, and that the thought and critical reflection within their works will remain a vital force safeguarding the human spirit!" noted the President of Guangzhou Academy of Fine Arts, member of the Creative Council Fan Bo.
The special nomination Inspired by Russian, dedicated to the 170th anniversary of the Tretyakov Gallery, aims to demonstrate the continuous influence of the Russian artistic school — from ancient Russian icon painting to the avant-garde — on world art. The creative goal of this nomination goes beyond simple imitation. It invites artists to rethink the experience of the past to create a vision of the future, capturing the national code as a living and relevant source of inspiration in the modern world.
Mikhail Savchenko, Director of the State Tretyakov Gallery branch in Samara, explained the selection process for the nomination:
"The works were selected based on several criteria. As museum workers, we were naturally drawn to the projects' professional execution. However, skill was not the only factor; conceptuality was also important to us — we studied all the artists' descriptions of the works. Another important criterion was compliance with the special nomination — Russian cultural heritage continues to inspire new generations. It was especially interesting to see how foreigners represent our country. We saw all of this in the 197 applications from 25 countries."
The Competition winners received the right to exhibit their works at the Samara branch of the State Tretyakov Gallery. The opening of the final exhibition and the awarding ceremony are scheduled for June 2026. The exhibition aims to demonstrate how classical heritage and national traditions are being transformed into contemporary meanings under the influence of a new generation of artists.
In 2026, the project focuses on the theme "The Values of My Nation as Part of the Global Human Culture". In the context of an emerging multipolar world, the Competition serves not simply as a contest, but as a tool for integrating national codes into the global treasury of meanings. The main goal is to support artists who see national traditions not as a frozen form, but as a living source of relevant inspiration. The Competition’s uniqueness lies in its accessibility — any artist between the ages of 18 and 35, regardless of skill level or location, can send an application.
