Winner of the “Black and White” competition Gwyn Taylor with her painting Cockie.
SPECTACULAR ocean scenes, self-portraits and images of birds in flight are brightening up the Warrnambool and District Artist’s Society’s Merri View Gallery — but there isn’t a splash of colour to be seen.
Every image displayed as part of the gallery’s latest competition is in black and white, but the lack of colour doesn’t mean the paintings, sketches or drawings are any less emotive, detailed or descriptive.
Society president Di Gordon said the competition was supported by Deakin University and was designed to take the artists out of their comfort zone.
“It’s very easy to convey emotion, or a detail with colour, but to do the same using only black and white can be difficult, and a real challenge” Ms Gordon said.
“Everyone has excelled themselves with their entries in this competition.
“The artworks are stunning. One in particular is a scene of the main street of Halls Gap and even though there isn’t a bit of green on the canvas it takes you straight there. It’s an amazing piece.
“There are a number of entries like that. It is amazing how detailed and emotive they are without having any colour.”
She said there were 71 entries from 34 artists, which would remain on display in the gallery until March.
Competition winners were announced yesterday, with Gwyn Taylor taking out top honours for her acrylic painting of a sulphur-crested cockatoo.
Ms Taylor said she had painted the same image in colour a few years ago, but wanted to see if she could achieve the same result using only shades of grey.
“I really wanted to see if I could get the same effect of that bright yellow crest, and the detail in the feathers without using colour,” Ms Taylor said.
“I’m absolutely thrilled with the result and to have a little win.”
Second place went to Jane Paton with an ocean scene and third was Val Ryan with a nude.
The exhibition is open on weekends from 11am-3pm at the Merri View Gallery, 4 Coramba Court.