"Paradox as Inspiration, Art as the Answer."
With this motto, the KUBIKUM Foundation entered the 5th edition of the START21ART art competition, which annually opens its doors to graduating students of secondary schools with an artistic focus.
The anniversary edition of the competition was announced by the KUBIKUM FOUNDATION on 22 September 2025. The theme for 162 students nominated by their schools was "PARADOX" – a word that provokes, inspires, and at the same time creates space for bold and unconventional interpretations of competition artworks.
The evaluation traditionally took place in two stages. First, the works were assessed by professional juries separately in Slovakia and the Czech Republic, resulting in the selection of the 42 best works advancing to the final round. These were then evaluated by a joint international jury composed of renowned experts, school representatives, and foundation representatives, who ultimately decided on the winners of the current competition year.
At the end of February, a public vote was launched through KUBIKUM's Instagram profile, where the wider public decided the winner of the ONLINE STAR title through their likes.
From the very beginning of its preparations, the 5th anniversary edition aimed to expand the competition with an additional dimension that would bring it even closer to audiences and art enthusiasts. For the first time in the competition's history, we organised a physical exhibition that connected the best works of the current edition with selected works from previous years. The exhibition, held in the New Synagogue in Žilina, created a unique space for meeting and presenting the creativity of young artists.
In addition to offering visitors the opportunity to discover the work of young talents from the Slovak and Czech art scenes, the exhibition also provided art lovers with the chance to become owners of exhibited works. Through an online auction held on the Kubikum register website, 24 original artworks were sold. From the auction proceeds, 80% was paid directly to the artists to support their further artistic education and development.
Also this year, the KUBIKUM Foundation awarded attractive financial and non-financial prizes with a total value exceeding EUR 15,000.
The ceremonial award presentation took place on 18 April 2026 at the New Synagogue in Žilina. With this exceptional evening, we officially concluded the 5th edition of the competition.
START21ART is more than just a showcase of talent. This competition is a significant initiative for young emerging artists, carrying real meaning and impact for the entire artistic and cultural community.
(Assoc. Prof. Marek Sibinský, Competition Juror)
SŠUP, Hálkova 2968/22,
Žilina
Nenásytnosť
SŠUP, Môťovská cesta 8164,
Zvolen
Lucifer
SŠUP, Ivanská cesta 21,
Bratislava 2
Mandán
SŠUP, Petzvalova 2,
Košice
Samota a beznádej
ŠUP, Staničná 8,
Trenčín
Paranoia
ŠUP, Vodárenská 3,
Prešov
Mladosť
ŠUP, Nerudova 13,
Hlohovec
Gdo sem nepatrí
SŠUP, Hálkova 2968/22,
Žilina
Echoes of together
SŠUP, Môťovská cesta 8164,
Zvolen
Dualita v obraze
ŠUP, Vodárenská 3,
Prešov
Hare to Heron
ŠUP, Jakobyho 15,
Košice
Pád Ikara
ŠUP, Staničná 8,
Trenčín
Rozpor
SŠUP, Hálkova 2968/22,
Žilina
Čo ma baví, ma zabíja
ŠUP, Staničná 8,
Trenčín
Sieť
SŠUPAT, Vlastenecké námestie 1,
Bratislava
Paradoxná láska
SŠUP, Samova 14,
Nitra
The Effort Paradox
SŠUP, Hálkova 2968/22,
Žilina
Connection
SŠUP, Ivanská cesta 21,
Bratislava 2
Svet mimo logiky
SŠUPAT, Vlastenecké námestie 1,
Bratislava
Paradox masiek
SŠUP, Samova 14,
Nitra
The Burden of Knowing
SŠUPAT, Vlastenecké námestie 1,
Bratislava
Zotavenie
ŠUP, Jakobyho 15,
Košice
Život za život
SŠUP, Ivanská cesta 21,
Bratislava 2
MUCHACHA
ŠUP, Jakobyho 15,
Košice
Vita
SŠUP, Kyslá 214,
Hodruša - Hámre
Girl with letter earrings
SŠUPAT, Vlastenecké námestie 1,
Bratislava
more knowledge, more questions
ŠUP Ladislava Bielika, Vajanského 23,
Levice
Schrödingerova mačka
SŠUP, Ivanská cesta 21,
Bratislava 2
BolSomBudem
ŠUP, Sklenárova 7,
Bratislava
Life of paradox
SŠUP, Môťovská cesta 8164,
Zvolen
paradoX
SŠUP, Môťovská cesta 8164,
Zvolen
Man made god
ŠUP, Scota Viatora 6,
Ružomberok
Tam, kde tma žiari
ŠUP, Sklenárova 7,
Bratislava
I see you
ŠUP, Scota Viatora 6,
Ružomberok
Si viac než si myslíš, že si
SŠUP, Samova 14,
Nitra
Spot light
SŠUP, Hálkova 2968/22,
Žilina
Kódovaný oltár
ŠUP, Akademická 13,
Banská Štiavnica
Prienik dimenzií
SŠUPAT, Vlastenecké námestie 1,
Bratislava
Odraz samej seba
ŠUP, Sklenárova 7,
Bratislava
Cycle (Cyklus)
SŠUP, Môťovská cesta 8164,
Zvolen
Sunny rain
ŠUP, Jakobyho 15,
Košice
Sama proti sebe
ŠUP, Sklenárova 7,
Bratislava
Paradox svetelných vzťahov
SŠUP, Ivanská cesta 21,
Bratislava 2
Zrkadlo
SŠUPAT, Vlastenecké námestie 1,
Bratislava
Mobius
ŠUP, Scota Viatora 6,
Ružomberok
Absolútny zákaz
ŠUP, Jakobyho 15,
Košice
Ilúzia východu
ŠUP, Staničná 8,
Trenčín
stratený
SŠUP, Petzvalova 2,
Košice
Výtvor a strata
SŠUP, Samova 14,
Nitra
Sebasabotáž
ŠUP, Staničná 8,
Trenčín
Koniec skrytý v prvom kroku
