CHILDREN'S picture book illustrations are said to be worth more than a thousand words - and a local Bridgetown artist is proving this to the world with his unique and fascinating artwork.
Gabriel Evans is one of four Australian illustrators chosen to represent our country in the 'Books Illustrated Gallery for the 2015 Asian Festival of Children's Content' recently held in Singapore.
The single mission for the exhibition is to showcase the works of local and regional illustrators and artists, across genres and borders, and promote to a wider audience. It has done just that with the festival believed to attract over 11,000 participants and have an impact on 1.5 billion children in Asia.
Mr Evans had two illustrations selected for the festival, one from The Woodland Whiskers books from the Five Mile Press and the second from Annie's Snails from Walter books Australia.
His work was chosen from thousands of submissions from all over the country and it is recognition Gabriel Evans can mix it with the best of them.
"I am very honoured to be part of this festival and to be chosen from such incredible talent across the country," Mr Evans said. "I am hopeful this will now generate interest in my books on an international level."
Mr Evans said he was happy to be involved in the exhibition and was thankful to one of his book authors for suggesting he apply.
"One of the authors of one of my books contacted me and said she was going to this Asian children's book exhibition and asked if I would submit some works," Mr Evans said. "I put in three pieces and they selected two of those three, which is just amazing."
Mr Evans refers to himself as 'almost a full time artist', is happy with his current workload and hoping the international recognition may result in more to come.
"I work part-time in and around town at the moment and am looking forward to becoming a full time artist real soon," Mr Evans said. "I am enjoying travelling around participating in various Library Literacy weeks and at an assortment of festivals. I am also about to launch a new book, so that is very exciting."
More information on Gabriel Evans can be found here.