It’s 2026 and we have reached BLACK.
The last letter of the CMYK quartet – the key colour.
And yes, technically, we once more have a theme colour for our anniversary exhibition that isn’t a colour.
Black can be defined as an absence rather than a presence. If no visible light reaches our eyes we ‘see’ black. But it can also be defined as the ultimate presence – it is what results when we combine sufficient pigments to collectively absorb all the wavelengths of visible light.
There are many negative cultural associations with black: death, witchcraft, mourning, endings, depression and evil. But black can also mean sophistication (hello Chanel) and authority. In China it can be associated with disorder, including the positive disorder which leads to change and new life. In Japan it symbolises experience (like the black belt in karate).
We don’t ask you to restrict your palette to black in the work you submit. But it should be, as we said earlier, the key colour – the element that defines and unifies your work.
So have some black thoughts and share them with us.
How to make your submission
Start by reading the important information below then click on one of these links to fill out a friendly form. (If you are submitting one larger piece you still use the submission form for one work.)
We will contact you after submissions have closed to let you know if you have been successful. We will ask for payment of the entry fee then.
Important information
Works must reflect the theme.
The work must be for sale.
We will not be charging commission on sales.
This is not a competition, there will be no judging of your work. But if we feel the work does not reflect the theme, or meet the general standard of work submitted, we may not be able to accept it.
Work does not have to be framed, we use a magnet system for exhibiting works on paper.
ENTRY FEE
The entry fee is $50 for one piece / $80 for two pieces or one larger piece (see Size Restrictions for more info). Once we have reviewed your entry you will receive an email with information on how to pay.
SIZE RESTRICTIONS
A single 2D work (including any frame) must be smaller in area than 1600 square cm. For example: 40 x 40 cm, or 20 x 80 cm.
A single 3D work must be smaller than the equivalent of 40 x 40 x 40 cm. For example: 30 x 50 x 35cm, or 60 x 60 x 15 cm.
If you want to submit a larger work it must be no larger than two single works. For example: 40 x 80cm, or 50 x 64cm. Larger works will count as TWO works, both in terms of what you can submit and in entry fees.
Please contact us if you have any doubts/questions.
Important dates
Wednesday 18 March
Submissions close
29–30 March
Deliver work/s to Tiliqua Tiliqua, 257 Enmore Rd, Enmore
2 April
Show opens
11 April
Celebratory drinks (about) 4-6pm
19 April
Show closes
19-20 April
Collect any unsold work from Tiliqua Tiliqua
Inspiration
For the definitive definition of black we direct you to this Wikipedia entry
For philosophical thoughts on black, read this essay in Cabinet Magazine