'Uncle Jack' by E.L.K

E.L.K FOR INDIGENOUS LITERACY FOUNDATION

We are collaborating with artist, Luke Cornish (E.L.K) to release his Limited Edition artwork titled 'Uncle Jack' and donating 100% of the profit from every sale to the Indigenous Literacy Foundation, a Sydney based NGO dedicated to closing the literacy gap in rural indigenous communities. 

ABOUT THE ARTIST

E.L.K @e.l.k

Luke Cornish is an Australian artist creating unique and powerful images from handmade stencils. His rise within the contemporary art world has been meteoric, becoming the first artist to be nominated for both the Archibald Prize and the Sulman Prize with a portrait he created entirely using stencils. Cornish is known in the urban art world by his moniker, ELK. 

ABOUT THE ARTWORK

On 13 September 2022, Boon Wurrung, Dja Dja Wurrung, Woiwurrung and Yorta Yorta Elder Uncle Jack Charles passed away.

This limited edition print is being released in celebration of the revered actor's achievements, infectious sense of humour, and determination which has inspired and touched the lives of so many people. 

E.L.K writes that: "I was living in Melbourne at the time, and had just watched the DVD called 'Bastardy'" a documentary on Jack's life, which inspired him to think of Jack as an amazing portraiture subject.

"As I was walking to return the DVD to the store, Jack literally drove past me on his scooter, a moment that was far too serendipitous to be a coincidence. I organised a photoshoot with Uncle Jack and a friend of mine, photographer Kristian Laemmle-Ruff, which after a couple of no shows, went ahead in Collingwood soon after the chance encounter."

This video was made by Jacob Oberman in 2013 and documents the process of painting Jack Charles for the Archibald prize. The portrait was rejected for the archibald prize, but later selected for the Black Swan prize (and subsequently disqualified for breaching the terms and conditions of entry) The original work is now held in the collection of Bond University, Gold Coast. 

Acknowledged as the grandfather of Aboriginal theatre in Australia, Uncle Jack co-founded the first Aboriginal theatre company Nindethana in 1972. At the time of filming, the federal arts funding body, the Australia Council of the Arts had requested that Jack Charles prove his Aboriginality before considering his grant application to write a book. The anachronistic "Proof of Aboriginality" policy was reviewed and changed following the release of this clip.  

ABOUT INDIGENOUS LITERACY FOUNDATION

Reading opens doors, and so much more. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children living in remote Australia are falling way behind the minimum reading standards and the Indigenous Literacy Foundation is closing the gap by supplying books and empowering First Nations Peoples to write and illustrate in their own language.

EDITION DETAILS

Available in 2 sizes. Quoted sizes in the Print Size menu are paper sizes that include a white border around the image. Sizes listed below. All artwork sizes are unframed. This artwork is a one off release and will not be available again. Artist will sign and number all artworks together, please allow 30 days for print and delivery.