EVERYTHING is black and white for local artist Hazel Evans and her forthcoming exhibition at the Lighthouse in Poole.

When I meet with the venue’s artist in residence, I also notice that the colour scheme extends to her wardrobe.

“I’m in danger of becoming known as the black and white artist,” says Hazel Evans.

For her latest project, The Monochronium, Hazel has focused on the black and white exploration of words, music and illustration. In particular, the artist has developed an affinity for music and dance as a source of inspiration.

The artist sketches her reactions to the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra (BSO), who rehearse at the Lighthouse. The results are beautifully dark and atmospheric sketches that could have leapt out from a Tim Burton film.

“I started as Lighthouse’s artist in residence at the end of last year. I started going in to performances and illustrating what I saw and I got a particular affinity for the music and people of the BSO,” says Hazel, 35.

“That developed and it started to look like some of my previous work and it occurred to me that everything I was creating was black and white.

“It was the natural draw of where I was going. Words on paper are black and white, the musical score is written in black and white.”

Hazel describes her work as ‘blending antiquity with the contemporary’ and feels that her monochrome visions come from a black and white world of music, stories and illustrations.

Despite favouring a monochrome world, Hazel is a fun, colourful character and is keen to show her progression as artist in residence.

The exhibition celebrating her links with the musicians is on view at the Lighthouse from Saturday to October 29, with free admission.

“I want the exhibition to be a magical space and a creative space. Monochro- nium will not be a passive exhibition,” she said.

This will certainly be no ordinary exhibition, as Hazel has announced the inclusion of a 36-hour live art event called Art-a-thon on October 26-27. Throughout this event, Hazel will be creating new works of art in collaboration with other artists, musicians, performers and the general public.

“It will be very active, something different, with input from a milliner, dancers and musicians. It will be very exciting, although there is a bed on stage in case I fall asleep. Even then there will be an artist taking inspiration from me sleeping!”

The Art-a-thon also aims to support charities and raise awareness of the visual arts in Poole. Before coming to the region, Hazel took a degree at Nottingham Trent University and then worked in the Mediterranean and Alpine regions of France.

While there, her artwork reflected the fantasy of life underwater and some of the blue-themed work coming from that project will also be on show at the Lighthouse.

• The Monochronium opens this Saturday at the Lighthouse. The Art-a-thon takes place on October 26-27 and members of the public are encouraged to dress in black and get involved.