Luke Close

I am a Githabal man and have been an artist for over 30 years. I come from a large family, growing up out of my country; I have returned to honour my family lines.

Starting to paint in my thirties, my first painting was a bush scene landscape. I have been working on developing many styles since my first artwork. Researching the local symbols and line marking helped me develop a cultural style of artworks. The human body intrigues me so live drawing has also been added to my portfolio of styles and skills. Despite the many styles, the doorway in has always been my culture. I am passionate about my art practice as it connects me to my community and family. I am living and working in the cultural landscape of my family line. I connected my art intuition with formal training completing a Bachelor of Fine Arts (Honours) at Deakin University.

Visual art takes me to another place; it is the language of the soul. The saying “a picture paints a thousand words” describes best what I am attempting to explain. Indigenous visual arts are such a powerful language. Those that are learning the Indigenous arts language will need information that is appropriate. I source information from people, places and things and, most importantly, the land.

As a teacher of Cultural visual arts I find that assisting someone to explore and express this powerful language is a multidimensional experience in culture, art, connection and healing. I have had the pleasure of being involved in major public art works including the Lismore Art Quadrangle public art space.

‘I am in a corridor of life; all of the dimensions of my life surround me and create the stories and pictures of my being; my soul, MY DREAMING.’