Luke Vinnicombe (b. 1994) constructs an expansive enigmatic and bizarre world within his paintings. Combining absurd humour and attractive bright colours in conflict with figures depicted in uncomfortable dynamics, from which allegorical narratives emerge. When brought together, these conflicting elements stir an underlying feeling of uneasiness, as the painting's contrasting imagery builds power dynamics between the figures. This alternative world reflects our own reality, as it explores current socio-political themes of masculinity, class divides, and human dominance over nature.
Luke crafts these environments through his process of generating a series of ink and charcoal drawings to build a sense of place, using recurring objects, characters and surroundings. These resolved images will then be applied onto thickly painted, expressive oil paintings on canvas or acrylic on paper.
Born in Edinburgh, Scotland, Luke moved to Aberdeen to study at Gray’s School of Art, from 2012 to 2016. In his degree show he won several awards, including The BP Fine Art Award, Art in Healthcare Purchase Award and The Hector Memorial Prize Fund. Through his degree show he was also awarded a place in the 2017 New Contemporaries exhibition at the Royal Scottish Academy, at which he won the RSA Landscape award. Since graduating in 2016, Luke has moved back to his hometown Edinburgh, where he continues to develop his practice.
Luke has had numerous exhibitions across Britain and Ireland, including notable group shows at Hunted Projects, in Edinburgh, the Transmission Gallery and Compass Gallery, in Glasgow, Bankley Gallery, Manchester, Hang Tough Contemporary, Dublin, and the Rendezvous Gallery, in Aberdeen. Luke has shown artwork in prominent institutions, such as the ING Discerning Eye, London, and at the Royal Scottish Academy, Edinburgh, taking part in the RSA Annual Exhibition on multiple occasions, as well as regularly appearing in exhibitions hosted by Scotland’s two largest art societies: The Scottish Society of Artists (SSA) and Visual Arts Scotland (VAS).
