Luke Thurgate
EXHIBITIONS
Luke Thurgate
3 February – 18 March 2023
The Drawing Gallery
Monday to Saturday
11am – 5pm
Free admission
Luke Thurgate installation of Adore You. Photo: Samu Carvajal
Luke Thurgate is an artist and educator based in Sydney. He teaches drawing and painting at the National Art School, where he is currently completing his Master of Fine Art. Luke has an extensive exhibition history including recent exhibitions at Backwoods Gallery, Burra Regional Art Gallery, National Art School and Adelaide Central Gallery. He was a finalist in the 2019 Dobell Drawing Prize, the 2020 Tom Bass Figurative Sculpture Prize and the 2020 Jacaranda Acquisitive Drawing Award.
Image: Luke Thurgate
Luke’s multi-disciplinary studio practice explores the construction and deconstruction of ‘identity’ in relation to masculinity, sexuality, romance and fear. His current work uses the monster as a surrogate ’other’ to explore tensions between parody and sincerity, menace and pathos, vulnerability and power. Luke’s work borrows from a range of sources, including popular culture, pornography, and queer history.
We are seeking candidates with strong experience in the areas of extensive audit, governance or philanthropy experience, and strong art and education sector knowledge to join the National Art School Board of Directors.
Our mission is to be a centre of excellence for the provision of higher education and research, scholarship and professional practice in the visual arts and related fields. Members of the Board play a vital role in long-term strategic planning and providing expert advice and support to the shareholding members and Director (CEO) on any matter relating to the school.
Visit I work for NSW website to express your interest (link in bio).
Jun 18
A new student-led, artist-run initiative joined our campus!
‘Pinpoint’ student collective (@nas_pinpoint) reactivates the notice boards outside Building 27 printmaking facility with micro-exhibitions of student work, offering students a chance to share their practice in a low-pressure, highly visible way within the student community.
Artwork by @jubohlephoto
Supported by @nas_src_official & @cafe.nas
Jun 17
`Being at NAS, they were the best three years of my life so far` (Rosemary Lee, NAS Alumna 2018)
This end of financial year, support the next generation of artists through the National Art School’s Pathways Program.
Your donation will be vital in helping us build a more inclusive and vibrant arts community — creating crucial pathways for talented artists to become leading international artists, regardless of their background.
Visit link in bio to find out what your donation today could achieve tomorrow.
Jun 16
We are delighted to announce Margaret Ambridge`s work `Cheek by jowl` (2024) as the winner of the People’s Choice Award for the 24th Dobell Drawing Prize. A huge congratulations to Margaret, who also won the People`s Choice Award for the 23rd Dobell Drawing Prize in 2023.
Margaret shares:
‘My primary practice is drawing. To have three very different, some say demanding, works exploring the human condition accepted for the Dobell Drawing Prize over the years is such a rare privilege and wonderful recognition of my artwork. For many years I have struggled with drawing’s place in my art practice. To me there always seems to be an external pressure suggesting that drawing is a pathway to something ‘bigger’ like a painting or a sculpture. The longevity and gravitas of the Dobell demands that drawing be seen as the final work in its own right. It’s been a long journey from drawing at the kitchen table as a child with my mother, an artist in her own right.’
See Margaret`s winning work in this final week of the 24th Dobell Drawing Prize at NAS Gallery, closing Saturday 21 June 2025.
Plan your visit at the link in bio.
—
Opening night of the 24th Dobell Drawing Prize, National Art School Gallery, Sydney, 2025, image courtesy and © the artists and National Art School, photograph: Nicole Anderson; Margaret Ambridge, ‘Cheek by jowl’, 2024, charcoal and rainwater on paper, image courtesy and © the artist, photograph: Mark Fitz-Gerald
Jun 13
Join us to celebrate the opening of `The Neighbour at the Gate` at the National Art School Gallery on Thursday 10 July.
The exhibition features new works by Jacky Cheng, Elham Eshraghian-Haakansson, Dennis Golding (Kamilaroi/Gamilaraay), Jenna Mayilema Lee (Gulumerridjin (Larrakia), Wardaman, KarraJarri), James Nguyen and James Tylor (Kaurna, Thura-Yura language region).
Visit the exhibition page for full artwork captions and details (link in bio).
`The Neighbour at the Gate` is proudly supported by the NSW Government through its Blockbusters Funding initiative.
Jun 12
NAS Alum Juz Kitson (@juz_kitson) is known for her emotionally charged, biomorphic sculptures that combine porcelain with organic materials.
See her extraordinary work now on view in her current solo exhibition `Unfolding Earth` at @cassandrabird.gallery. `Unfolding Earth` continues until 14 June.
Join Kitson for her ceramics masterclass on experimental porcelain at the National Art School 28-29 June. Book at the link in bio - limited places available.
—
Images courtesy of CASSANDRA BIRD, photo by Laura Moore.
Jun 6
