The Absence of Color

By Stanwyck Cromwell - Mixed Media Painter - Bio: Cromwell

The focus is on black & white drawings and how the absence of color affects those of us accustomed to viewing an artist’s work in color. In many ways, the absence of color compels viewers to look at art through a different pair of lenses—to pay closer attention to line, form, texture, contrast, and composition.

As far back as I can remember, I have been exposed to, attracted to, and receptive to color. It was often part of the conversation about art. Color is used linguistically, symbolically, and, at times, metaphorically. Throughout most of my artmaking practice, my work has been defined by the saturation of vibrant colors. In some ways, my frequent use of color seemed to feed into cultural and racial stereotypes associated with artists of the African Diaspora.

Truth be told, I began my art career heavily influenced by black & white drawings—particularly pen-and-ink works, including those of the late, great African American artist Charles White. However, my tropical environment offered me a rich kaleidoscope from which to choose. Color was everywhere, alive and insistent, and naturally found its way into my work.

Nowadays, as I look back over my body of work, I can truly appreciate how my earlier black & white drawings relied on light, shadow, line, and structural form rather than color. Strange but true: even though these works were rendered in black & white, I still view them through the eyes of a colorist. Old habits die hard, I guess.

To summarize my position as an artist and creative person, we—as a society and an art community—should not assume that artists labeled “colorists” are comfortable working only in color. To do so would be like assuming that all Black people have rhythm.