From everyday “oops” to life’s larger turning points, the works in this year’s Kørner’s Art Competition explore humour, seriousness, and existential questions.
“Oops” can be a mistake that opens up new possibilities in the creative process. As a theme, “oops” acts as a guide rather than an obstacle, pointing to the idea that the unexpected and the erroneous are natural parts of being human and of creating.

When something breaks or does not go as planned, it can open up new aesthetic possibilities and unexpected forms of expression. Working with the uncontrolled and the unconscious creates space for spontaneous decisions, where mistakes become an integrated part of the work. At the same time, “oops” can also function as a theme that reflects the errors and ruptures we experience in life.
The exhibition presents selected works by visual arts and design students from upper secondary education programmes across the country. They have approached the theme of “oops” in widely different ways, creating works that contain both personal narratives and an expression of the time we live in, where imperfection is embraced and celebrated as something universally human.

Kørner’s Art Competition 2026 has been developed in collaboration with the Ministry of Children and Education, the Danish Association of Visual Arts and Design Teachers, and Vendsyssel Art Museum. The initiative is led by visual artist John Kørner. Through the competition, he aims to inspire young people and encourage them to express themselves creatively and artistically.