Contact Rebecca Ballenger, Associate Director, Worlds of Words Center
When the average person thinks about picturebooks, black and white illustrations seldom come to mind. But they do exist. “Black White Grey,” a traveling exhibit from the International Youth Library (IYL) in Munich, Germany is on view for the first time in the U.S. in the Worlds of Words Center in the University of Arizona College of Education. The exhibit shows how illustrators use the expressive power of lines, shapes, contours and contrasts to create captivating pictures with a unique aesthetic and atmospheric mood.
Oliver (age 6) inspects a hanging medallion that depicts a detail from an illustration in Tierenduin by Dutch author and illustrator, Geert Vervaeke, as part of the ‘Black White Grey’ exhibit on loan from the International Youth Library in Munich, Germany and on display in the Worlds of Words Center.
“Using only black, white and gray in illustrations can be surprisingly evocative, stripping away the distraction of color to reveal a depth and nuance that resonates on a profoundly emotional level. These monochromatic palettes invite readers to engage with the essence of the story in a raw and powerful way, proving that sometimes the simplest choices can yield the most profound impact,” says Kathy Short, director of Worlds of Words and Regents Professor.
The range of illustration techniques and artistic styles of the stories told in black, white and gray is remarkable. The art mediums include woodcut and linocut, scratch technique, pencil, charcoal and ink, watercolors and digital drawing. Some books stand out for the abundance of filigree details drawn in delicately graded shades of gray, others for an expressive, striking style that thrives on the contrast and interplay of dark and light spaces.
The exhibit includes posters and picturebooks by internationally renowned artists such as Suzy Lee, Lorenzo Mattotti, Albertine and Einar Turkowski. Some of the books are difficult to source in the U.S., such as “Altijd dichtbij” (“Always Nearby”). This book about a child overcoming grief was shipped to the center from the Netherlands directly by the author/illustrator, Mark Janssen. In addition to the posters and books, visitors can contribute to participatory art projects and other activities.
Students from the Indigenous Teacher Education Program (ITEP) visiting the Worlds of Words Center complete a double-sided puzzle that is part of the ‘Black White Grey’ exhibit from the International Youth Library in Munich, Germany.
“The exhibit and activities using just black, white and gray shares the perspective that artists don’t need a lot of colors to create something amazing,” says Short. “These classic shades can help kids and adults explore their creativity and prove that incredible art can be made with just a few simple materials. So, even with limited supplies, you can make art that’s rich and full of expression, no matter how much experience you have.”
The illustrations are not limited to black, white and gray. Some of the books include pops of color, which allow the reader to consider artistic choices around adding color. There are also no limits to the content. For example, the picturebooks tell humorous animal stories, dystopian parables and well-known folk tales. They deal with fantastic creatures in a bizarre underground world, lush forests and day and night.
“Black White Grey” will be on display in Worlds of Words through December 19, 2024. The collection is free to visit and open to the public from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Mondays-Fridays and 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturdays (excluding holidays and closures). For more information or to schedule a field trip or guided tour, contact wow@arizona.edu.
“Black White Grey” was conceived by the International Youth Library in Munich, Germany. For more information on this exhibit, visit https://www.ijb.de/en/exhibitions/archive/single/black-white-grey-3.
- Themes: Black White Grey, Exhibits, International Youth Library, Rebecca Ballenger
- Descriptors: WOW News