TORN: New deCollage from Bill Luke
“TORN” at Urban Uprising runs thru October from the 8th
One of the few successful déCollage artists in the world, Bill Luke is making his mark in the Australian art scene. Earlier this year, the ABC’s Sunday Arts program featured the artist and his work Watch Video
Following his sell out show in Melbourne, Bill Luke is now creating new works for his first solo Sydney show at Urban Uprising this October.
Slide above to see more images →
While collage artists create new art through building existing images, the art of déCollage involves removing parts of existing pictures to create new works.In a reversal of the usual urban art, Luke stalks the streets at night, tearing down old ad billboards to create a unique canvas. In his concrete bunker studio, he gouges, strips, relayers, trims, repositions, and reworks the posters he collected by the dead of night, to create a striking range of compositions. Inspired by the present day eco-recycling environment and the art form of déCollage made popular by the Italian and French Lettristes group of the late 40s and 50s such as Mimmo Rotella.
Bill spends considerable time with each work – looking for the right composition and balance of image. These new works reflect a more simple image - they are more TORN rather than scrubbed and manipulated. These compositions are capable of triggering a viewer’s memory, drawing them into the image finally revealing the posters past. They are also social commentary rehabilitating the role of waste, this exciting art form gives posters a new life ... and keeps a past art alive with new meaning.
For artist Bill Luke, this is a journey that has taken years. The results of his experience, to be shown in his newest works, gives yesterday’s billboards a new beginning and a new lifetime of pleasure.
Special preview and drinks evening Weds Oct 7th. Invites from rod@urbanuprising.com.au
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