Congratulations to Luke Edgar for earning his place as a Finalist in the Boynes Artist Award 9th Edition [Professional Artist category]!

Who are you?

Art has been a constant in my life, growing up in an artistic environment and learning from my Dad who has had a lifetime of making art and at the time was working in architecture. My Dad's architectural background allowed me to gain an understanding of technical drawing through many different drawing exercises of which I still regularly do to keep my hands and eyes precise.

For me, creating work is a necessity and having my studio a 10 minute walk from my home makes for a perfect lifestyle while also raising a young family.

*“Charging Point”*
*Diptych*
*By Luke Edgar*

What inspired you to utilize a tattoo machine in your painting?

Tattooing has fascinated me since I first became aware of it. A walking piece of Art that will live a life and eventually die which also must be a collaboration between the artist and the wearer of the tattoo. I began a tattoo apprenticeship when I was sixteen with the intention of wanting to take over entire bodies and completely transform a person. I don't tend to think of tattooing and creating artwork as separate entities so concepts and techniques constantly cross between the two practices. I began working on metal by applying layers of paint and then scratching off with blades and needles which then developed into using a tattoo machine. I like to continuously explore new methods of creating.

How would you describe your ARTwork?

I would describe my work as a pattern of recognition, an accumulation of my life experiences and observations which are then translated into an expression of a new reality. I work with large scale steel and use traditional oil painting techniques in combination with tattooing into the paint and metal which allows me to explore these observations in a bold, confronting, and intimate way.

Can you discuss the inspiration and thought process behind your winning work?

This diptych is a portrait of my partner and our daughter. My intention with this piece was to create almost 3D replicas of them on the flat surface of the steel. I reviewed digital 3D imagery which informed the way I approached this piece.

*“Florence and Kerry”*
*Diptych*
*By Luke Edgar*

Can you walk us through the technical steps of creating your winning work?

It was created by layering oil onto steel then using a tattoo machine to scratch down through the layers. The image was built up by repeating this process, combining traditional painting techniques with tattooing methods.

What do you hope to communicate to an audience with your work?

I invite viewers to join me in considering our own perceptions and experience of ourselves and the world around us. By creating a reality through my work that is a variation of our current lived reality, it creates a potential for the audience to open up to new ways of seeing and experiencing.

*“Hell Or High Water” (Close Up)*
*By Luke Edgar*

Can you talk about your biggest learning experience during the process of creating your work?

I experienced some failures through the process of creating this piece. I created digital layers on an ipad first then did a session of adding layers to the painting. There were a couple instances where the layers didn’t work out the way I planned and I had to rework the painting. Using this tool on the portrait of my daughter helped me to understand how the process needed to go and I learned from the mistakes so that I didn’t need to do practice runs digitally for the portrait of my partner.

Can you discuss your biggest success since starting your artistic journey?

Being able to commit all of my time to my art and not need another job to support me.

Can you share with us the best piece of advice you you wish you had known at the start of your career?

Do what you want to do.

What projects are you working on currently? Can you discuss them?

I am currently creating a new series for a solo show in Mayfair in October for the Dubel Prize with Red Eight Gallery.

What is your dream project or piece you hope to accomplish?

I have a dream of doing the entire outside of a car or plane.

*“Singular Focus”* *(Close Up)*
*By Luke Edgar*

As a finalist, do you have any advice for artists who want to submit to awards, competitions, residencies, etc.?

Go for everything that feels right.

Lastly, I like to ask everyone what advice they would give to their fellow artists, what is your advice?

Keep experimenting and exploring.

To view more of Luke Edgar

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Artist Luke Edgar