Luke Hollis, Portrait Painter (Oils)

From his 2008 sellout exhibition at the Artist’s Room in Dunedin to critical acclaim from art critics and collectors alike, Luke Hollis returned to Harrisons Gallery for his only solo exhibition in 2009 titled ‘Encore’.

Regarded as one of New Zealand’s brightest talents, few artists have the untamed, untainted and unaltered natural ability that Luke Hollis possesses. 

Portraiture is Hollis’ specialty and also one of the oldest and most clichéd subjects in art.  To imbue this subject with something new or different takes skill and yet this is what Hollis is able to achieve in his work.  Hollis’ oil paintings subtly mix traditional stylings with clearly modern subjects to produce work that is effective and attractive, both from the point of view of the subject matter and from the point of view of the sheer use of paint. 

The resulting images are reminiscent of late-19^th-century formal sittings from the likes of Sargent and Whistler, but the character, expression and essence of the obviously 21^st-century subjects are captured with precision.

The artist has perfected a rare but clever effect by deliberately using loose, painterly brushwork to create depth in his backgrounds while presenting face and skin in smooth detail.

The contrast between the two is not jarring, but instead makes the figures stand clear from vibrant surroundings, creating an illusion of motion in life.

The result is highly effective, producing works that breathe and shine.   Harrisons Gallery Manager, Durrelle Green says “People ask me who do you think will be New Zealand’s next big artist or whose art would you buy if you were going to invest?” “My answer is very simple, Luke Hollis – without a doubt, Luke Hollis”. 

Born in Auckland in 1979, Hollis grew up in the Bay of Plenty.  In 2004 he was awarded runner-up in the prestigious Molly Morpeth Canaday Art Awards followed by first equal in the same awards in 2005.  Additionally in 2005 he was honored as the winner of the Peoples Choice Award.  

Now back in Auckland, Hollis continues a successful fulltime career pursuing his love of drawing, portraiture, photography and conceptual design – he has recently been developing characters for a new American television series of the multi-award winning movie Spartacus.  

'Self Portrait' by Luke Hollis (graphite)

Click here to view artworks by Luke Hollis