Choosing between using colour or black and white is an important decision for an illustrator. This exhibition shows us the unique point of view on this matter from eight renowned French and Spanish artists: Broll & Prascida, Lara Costafrega, Juan Díaz-Faes, Jean Jullien, Iván Solbes, Joan Tarragó, Tyrsa et Violaine & Jeremy.

Are black and white colours? The answer to this eternal debate depends on one’s point of view. In the field of optics, white is the sum of all colours, whilst black is the absence of them. If drawing, painting and photography interest us, however, white requires the absence of pigments and black involves their maximum presence. In colour theory, black and white are independent of colours such as green, red and yellow. Instead, they are the extreme tonal values in a range of greys.

Beyond science, the ambiguous relationship between colour and black and white is explained by human analysis, our cultural references, colour associations and subjectivity developed by artists.

The field of Illustration does not escape the multiple debates on colour and black and white. Throughout history, the dominating reproduction techniques have fluctuated between black and white and colour; writing on papyrus, illustrated manuscripts and prints to the infinite range of techniques we know today.

All of the illustrators in this exhibition have in common that they have engaged in a unique way in the dialogue related to the use of black and white and colour, resulting from the interdisciplinary nature of their work. They use both analogue and digital techniques as well as being interested in fashion, graphic design, typography, 3D, architecture, past and current artistic trends. Each artist applies their own influences, techniques, references and inspirations to their unique vision where black, white and colour constitute essential artistic decisions.

---