Never stopped for a rest, our good friend Luke Cornish aka ELK will be heading back to Metro gallery again this year for a remarkable new show featuring work that he created after his trips to Syria in the last year or two. We’ll let the media release do a more than capable job of telling you all about it …

“ZERO TO THE LEFT is the upcoming exhibition of works by artist Luke Cornish(ELK). The works are currently up on our walls and ready for viewing and purchase.

For many years, Cornish has challenged himself and others with his art. Often confronting and always compelling, he never ceases to spark conversations around race, religion, conflict and the human condition,. His work sees him travel to some of the most dangerous conflict zones in the world. The artists most recent trip abroad was a venture to Syria. In one of the artists most significant bodies of work to date, ZERO TO THE LEFT intends to:
Put a human face on the effects of this war and raise awareness for the people caught in the middle of this conflict…It’s these people I want to support, the ones that left and the ones that have stayed…the ones that have no say in how their government fights this war, the ones who have no say in the sanctions that are crippling their lives and the ones who have no say in foreign invaders bent on destroying their secular society; the everyday people just trying to get by.

– Luke Cornish

In June 2016, Cornish traveled through Syria with Sydney’s Anglican Church Reverend Dave Smith, on his ‘Boxers for Peace’ mission.

In the midst of war and poverty, Cornish was overwhelmed by positivity and hope that the civilians demonstrated. Upon his return, he began to create a body of work that revealed various aspects of the situation he witnessed:
I looked at not only the destruction that six years of war has had on this beautiful country, but also the everyday lives of people caught in the middle, people just trying to get by, living under sanctions, aerial bombardment and regular suicide attacks.

The show will feature a range of aerosol and sublimation prints of brushed aluminium, works on canvas and limited edition prints. The works are now in the gallery for viewing. They feature scenes from the places Cornish visited – the towns of Damascus, Aleppo, and Ma’aloula, and the roads in-between.

We are excited to announce that Luke Waters will open the show on the 13th July, between 6:30-8:30pm.

Luke is a journalist and video journalist based in the SBS World News Melbourne bureau.Throughout his career, Luke has worked in print, radio, television and online media, covering stories throughout Australia and internationally.

Additionally, Father Bob Maguire will be in the gallery along with the artist for a Q&A on Saturday the 15th of July, just after opening night. Please come down 12-1pm for this exciting event.

Australian Roman Catholic priest, community worker and media personality, Father Bob has a longstanding friendship and understanding of the artist and his work. ”

We’re always excited about ELKs show and this one is no exception, so head down to Metro this Thursday night and see it all for yourselves!!

Who: ELK (Luke Cornish)
What: Zero To The Left solo show
Where: Metro Gallery, 1214 High Street Armadale
When: Show opens Thursday 13th July from 630pm til 830pm and runs for two weeks or so, with a QA session on Saturday 15th July from 12pm to 1pm.