This exhibition features significant works from the career of Luke Cornish, also known as ELK, Australia’s most prominent stencil artist. These works trace the development of his career from the streets of his hometown of Canberra, to galleries across Australia and internationally. Working in the medium for more than two decades, he finds ‘stencil art is a powerful medium for social and political commentary because of its accessibility, speed, and bold visual impact.’1 His work responds to prevalent social issues of the time; personal experiences of travel, friendships and adversity; and specific large-scale social events such as wars, COVID-19 and technological developments. What persists over time is a want,
or need, to start conversations. To disrupt de-humanising narratives and replace them with curiosity—provoking questions rather than giving answers.
