Eligibility: National - US Residents
National Call For Entries: Opposition of light and shadow can create the illusion of three-dimensional space, emphasize tonal range, and accentuate the shape of objects. Dramatic effects can be powerful.
In addition, the interplay of contrasting light patterns can reinforce the theme and mood of an artwork, causing viewers to react with positive or negative emotions. For centuries, light has been symbolically associated with happiness, goodness, understanding, and even divinity while dark has been associated with sadness, mystery evil, and chaos.
How does the dynamism of light counterbalance the expressive shadows in your artwork? Do you: Augment realism or enhance non-representational / abstract forms? Establish moody, atmospheric -- sometimes psychological -- effects? Conceal or emphasize structure, objects and persons through a selective artistic process that develops clarity or obscurity in a scene? Manipulate color to become more muted or vibrant and to differentiate tonal values and textures? Develop a narrative and tell a story? Use light and shadow / shading to unify and structure an image -- or to fragment and distort it?
Do you explore the characteristics of direct, indirect or reflected illumination as well as the variations of dominant and subordinate shadows as you interpret the visual content? Whatever your artistic approach -- spontaneous or controlled, traditional or experimental -- we welcome your participation. This exhibition offers significant creative freedom since there are no restrictions on subject matter, style or technique. We are open-minded and excited to see your art. Please join us!
Mediums: The MVA Gallery accepts painting, watercolor, printmaking, mixed media, digital, pastel, encaustic, sculpture, fiber, drawing and photography.