LUKE, GEORGE (1920-1995)

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"Embrace" (1970)

coldcast metal (fibreglass & polyester resin)

33 x 15 x 19cm

signed on verso

*private collection, Melbourne

Luke is a forgotten Australian Sculptor & Social Realist. He studied at Melbourne Technical College (now RMIT University) from 1936 until 1940, where he had Napier Waller as instructor in drawing. He also attended the National Gallery School from 1937 until 1939, where he met and became very friendly with Yosl Bergner, a young Jewish painter.became friends with Noel Counihan and Vic O’ Connor, later joining the Communist Party. He exhibited at the Jewish Kadema in Carlton in 1939 with Bergner, Counihan and O’Connor.Luke joined the AIF IN 1940 and served in the army during World War 11, discharged in 1946, he sailed for England, not returning for three years. While overseas he travelled in England, Denmark, France, Italy and Yugoslavia.Coming back to Melbourne in 1950 he worked as an illustrator for the Argus and other newspapers and magazines such as The Bulletin, Woman’s Day and the Brisbane Telegraph. After showing in several mixed exhibitions in Brisbane, Canberra and Melbourne Luke was invited to exhibit his sculpture at the Victorian Artists Society Galleries in 1963 with the Realist Group. Luke exhibited widely in subsequent years: Sydney, Brisbane, Canberra and Mildura, and his works are represented in several significant collections.