A stencil artist has for the first time made it to the finals of Australia's premier art awards, the Archibald Prize.
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’s notable about Luke Cornish (E.L.K) being named an Archibald Prize finalist?
Luke Cornish, who works under the name E.L.K, is the first stencil artist to make the Archibald Prize finals. His stencil and spray-paint portrait of Melbourne priest Father Bob Maguire was announced as one of the 41 finalists in the $75,000 Archibald Prize and was unveiled at the Art Gallery of New South Wales.
Who is Father Bob Maguire and why did the artist choose him for the Archibald portrait?
Father Bob Maguire is a well‑known Melbourne Catholic priest and cult figure who has had public clashes with the church and was recently forced into retirement from his South Melbourne parish. Cornish said he was drawn to Maguire’s generous character, that the priest reminded him of his late grandfather, and that Maguire’s grumpy-but-lovable persona made him a compelling subject.
How did Luke Cornish create his Archibald finalist portrait of Father Bob?
Cornish created the portrait using spray paint and stencils. He spent some time with Father Bob to get the right image, then worked from photos. It took about two weeks to cut the stencils and a day to spray the final portrait.
When will the Archibald Prize winner be announced and what other awards are announced at the same time?
The Archibald’s main prize will be announced on March 30. The winners of the Wynne and Sulman prizes are announced in tandem with the Archibald on that date.
What is the Packing Room Prize and who won it this year?
The Packing Room Prize is the first Archibald award of the season and is chosen by gallery staff (the packers). This year Victorian artist Raelene Sharp won the Packing Room Prize with her portrait of screen veteran John Wood. The packers’ prize was selected from 839 entries.
How many entries and finalists did this year’s Archibald feature?
This year’s selection included 839 entries in total, and the Archibald judges announced 41 finalists, including Luke Cornish’s stencil portrait of Father Bob Maguire.
What kinds of subjects and themes appear among the Archibald finalists this year?
The finalists cover a wide range of contemporary subjects. Musicians feature prominently — including portraits of Kimbra, Missy Higgins, ARIA winners Boy & Bear, and Dave Graney with Clare Moore — and war is another recurring theme, with several soldier portraits and a war‑inspired painting by last year’s winner Ben Quilty reflecting his time as a war artist in Afghanistan.
Does the Archibald often include street art, and how does Cornish view his own practice?
Street-based art has been submitted to the Archibald before but, until Cornish, none had made the finals. Cornish, however, says he is not really a ‘street artist’ — he is largely self-taught and does more work in galleries than on the street.
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