Luke continues to shine as a dedicated and accomplished artist within the Alkira community. A familiar contributor to Alkira’s annual art exhibition, Luke consistently demonstrates his commitment to developing his craft, returning each year with new works.
For those who don’t know Luke, he likes to make abstract acrylic paintings using colour and texture. Luke has been creating more art in recent years as has found painting helps him express his feelings and be part of his community.
Beyond the Alkira art room, Luke actively nurtures his artistic practice by visiting galleries for inspiration. These experiences allow him to refine his style, explore new ideas and bring fresh perspectives and techniques.
Recently, Luke reached an exciting milestone through his involvement in the Voices of Art community project. As part of this initiative, six of Luke’s artworks were exhibited at the Box Hill Community Arts Centre as part of a two-week exhibition earlier this month, showcasing both his talent and dedication to his practice.
Delivered by Whitehorse City Council and supported through the National Ethnic Disability Alliance (NEDA) Inclusive Arts Grant program, Voices of Art ran from March to May and provided a unique opportunity for participants from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds to come together in a collaborative and supportive environment. Working alongside art mentor Ara Dolatian and fellow artists, Luke embraced the chance to create in a new setting, connect with the local community and expand his creative skills.
Although wary of working in a new environment, Luke got out of his comfort zone and grew to really appreciate the space and new faces. He engaged in conversations while working on his art and received feedback on his art from other fellow artists, which gave him encouragement and left him feeling prideful of his creations.
Usually interested in creating acrylic pieces, Luke in this new environment experimented with pastels and coloured pencils. In artworks “The Lion” and “The Tiger” Luke experimented with a combination of pastels, acrylic paint, and watercolours.
We look forward to seeing how Luke’s creativity continues to evolve and inspire.
