Artists paint Witham’s cemetery in day-long Heritage Trust competition

Dotted across the peaceful setting of Witham’s cemetery, artists captured light, shade and colour during a day-long plein-air competition.

At the 36th annual Heritage Trust Painting Competition, some 40 artists spent hours creating images of foliage and tombstones in a cemetery steeped in history.

The cemetery was named after Captain Witham, an 18th century British Officer who was involved in the Great Siege, and the competition marked a decade since a restoration effort to transform the location began.

On Saturday, artists quietly focused on their pieces in the dappled shade cast by trees overhead.

Having previously scouted the area, Thomas Maxwell arrived at 9.30am to ensure he could comfortably set up in his preferred spot.

“With such a small space, I was worried people were going to set up early and I didn’t know how many people were going to be here,” he said.

“Also I’m working with oils, so it does take a bit longer than watercolour or sketching and I have a lot of equipment.”

By 12.30pm Mr Maxwell had completed his first piece and moved to a second location.

He had planned to submit two paintings and was working against the clock to complete each piece within three to four hours.

With an eight-hour day, he left himself little time for breaks and planned to fuel himself with a lucozade and mars bar.

“As a location, its quite challenging,” he said.

“It’s a very small space and there’s a lot of shade from the high-rise buildings, so you really have to pick your spot.”

“Definitely a challenge, but if you find a good location it can be rewarding.”

Paul Passano spent the morning of his 35th birthday taking part in the competition, quickly dabbing watercolour to paper to make sure he could celebrate in the afternoon.

“I was in two minds on whether to come and I thought ‘why not, it’s a lovely thing to do on the morning of your birthday’,” he said.

Mr Passano won the competition two years ago and he entered again this year as he enjoys spending a day in nature with other artists.

He arrived at the competition at 10.30am, took a while to find his spot, and began painting at 11am with the hope to complete the piece by 2.30pm and rush off to his birthday plans.

Sat on a small stool with oil pastels in hand, this was Pat Bowling Lombard’s first-time taking part in the competition.

“I’ve kept on meaning to come, but this year I thought I’d enter,” she said.

She added that the cemetery was a beautiful setting to host the competition.

Moments before the 5pm deadline, Geraldine Martinez rushed to finish off her charcoal piece.

Alongside her, a few artists hurriedly brushed over blank spaces on their canvases and finessed finer details.

Ms Martinez’ monochrome piece is a change for the artist who is known for her colourful works and mural projects found across Gibraltar.

“Everyone is used to seeing me be a colourist, so I thought I would challenge the norm and start working in charcoal,” she said.

“In fact, I’ve been working in charcoal for the past six months with a view of having an exhibition to showcase that slightly different side of me.”

“I’ll always be a colourist, but charcoal is really appealing to me right now.”

Heritage Trust CEO Claire Montado said the competition had attracted new and old faces, as well as families.

“This year is the 80th anniversary of VE Day and also the 10th anniversary since we started the restoration project of Witham’s cemetery which was done by volunteers,” she said.

“A 10-year sustained effort turned this from what was a jungle and a rubbish dump… to now a place with paths you can walk through.”

“We’ve identified all the people with all the graves and there’s a register so you can see who’s where.”

“We’re starting to expand those stories of individual people so it’s really satisfying for the lead volunteer, Keith Farrell.”

The announcement of winners and the presentation of prizes will take place on May 29 at 6.30pm in GEMA Gallery and the exhibition will be open to the public as from May 30 until June 13.