A STENCIL artist has for the first time made it to the finals of Australia's premier art awards, the Archibald Prize.
Melbourne-based artist Luke Cornish, also called E.L.K, was yesterday announced as one of the 41 finalists in the $75,000 prize for his stencil portrait of the Melbourne Catholic priest Father Bob Maguire.
The portrait, unveiled alongside the other 40 finalists at the Art Gallery of New South Wales, was created using spray paint and stencils, and portrays the unsmiling "celebrity" priest in different shades of grey.
The self-taught Cornish, who was "overwhelmed' by yesterday's news, had wanted to paint Father Bob for some time.
"The opportunity didn't really present itself until I had a chance meeting with him at an exhibition opening," he said.
Street-based art has been submitted before, but none have made it through as a finalist.
Cornish though, is adamant he is not a "street artist".
"I do more work in galleries than I do in the street," he said.
He said he was drawn to Father Maguire because, as well as reminding him of his late grandfather, Cornish admires his character.
"He is such a generous person," he said.
"The fact that he's devoted his life to others played a big part in me choosing him.
"I worked mostly from photos after spending a bit of time with him, getting the right image to work from.
"Then it took about two weeks to cut the stencils out and a day to spray it up.
"He's a grumpy old man. And he knows it that's what everyone loves about him."
Father Maguire, who became a cult figure after repeated clashes with the church and being "forced" into retirement from his South Melbourne parish last month, is the first to agree. "I'm Scottish, we're dour," the 77-year-old said. "It's grim, but it's appealing to me."
The Archibald's main prize is announced on March 30, along with the winners of the Wynne and Sulman prizes, held in tandem.
But the first Archibald award of the season, the Packing Room Prize, was unveiled yesterday.
A Victorian artist, Raelene Sharp, won the prize with her portrait of the screen veteran John Wood. Sharp was "over the moon" at her win, having entered several times before, she said. Wood, star of the television series Rafferty's Rules and Blue Heelers, said he thought it was wonderful that a little-known artist's painting of a "has-been" had won.
Sharp said of Wood, her neighbour in the Yarra Valley, she tried to capture not a character he had played, but his own personality. Wood thought she had succeeded.
The packers' prize was chosen from 839 entries up on last year and is picked by gallery staff. Musicians figure large among the varied Archibald subjects mainly on big canvases and include Kimbra, Missy Higgins, ARIA heroes Boy & Bear and Dave Graney and Clare Moore.
War is another theme, with portraits of a soldier, a boy as a soldier and, from last year's Archibald winner, Ben Quilty, a painting inspired by his stint as a war artist in Afghanistan.
Frequently Asked Questions about this Article…
What made Luke Cornish (E.L.K) a standout finalist in the Archibald Prize?
Luke Cornish, who signs his work E.L.K, became notable for being the first stencil artist to reach the Archibald Prize finals. He was named one of the 41 finalists for the $75,000 portrait prize with a striking stencil and spray‑paint portrait of Father Bob Maguire.
Who is the subject of Cornish's Archibald portrait and why did he pick Father Bob Maguire?
Cornish painted Melbourne Catholic priest Father Bob Maguire, a well‑known and often outspoken figure. He chose Father Bob because he admires his generous character, felt a personal connection (the subject reminded him of his late grandfather) and wanted to capture that personality in the portrait.
How did Cornish create his stencil portrait of Father Bob and how long did it take?
Cornish spent some time with Father Bob to get the right image, then worked mainly from photos. He spent about two weeks cutting the stencils and a single day spraying the portrait, using spray paint and layered stencils to achieve the greyscale look.
Is Luke Cornish considered a street artist?
Although Cornish uses stencil techniques often associated with street art, he says he is not a 'street artist' — he does more work in galleries than in the street and prefers to be seen as a gallery artist as well.
When will the main Archibald Prize winner be announced?
The Archibald's main prize winner is announced on March 30, at the same time as the winners of the Wynne and Sulman prizes.
What is the Packing Room Prize and who won it this year?
The Packing Room Prize is the first Archibald award of the season, chosen by gallery staff. This year Victorian artist Raelene Sharp won with her portrait of screen veteran John Wood — a win she described as being 'over the moon' about after entering several times before.
How many entries were considered for the Packing Room Prize and was that number higher than last year?
The Packing Room Prize was chosen from 839 entries, which the article notes was up on last year.
What recurring subjects and themes appear among this year’s Archibald entries?
This year’s subjects include a strong showing of musicians — such as Kimbra, Missy Higgins, ARIA favourites Boy & Bear, and Dave Graney with Clare Moore — and several works with war themes, including portraits of soldiers and a painting by last year’s winner Ben Quilty inspired by his time as a war artist in Afghanistan.
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