Book Launch: The stencil art of Luke Cornish at the National Library
17 July 2025 | By National Library of Australia
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Headshot of Luke Cornish
Luke Cornish (E.L.K.)

Join the National Library for a special conversation with artist Luke Cornish, celebrating the bold, intricate, and politically charged stencil work of E.L.K.

E.L.K. is Australia’s most acclaimed and celebrated stencil artist, participating in more than 20 exhibitions and winning or placing in numerous art prizes and awards. E.L.K. is widely known for his portrait of Father Bob Maguire, for which he was a finalist in the 2012 Archibald Awards. But many won’t know that E.L.K. (Luke Cornish) has a special connection to the National Library, where in his youth he worked as a ‘stackie’ – retrieving books from the Library collection for readers.

Luke returns to the Library to launch a new art book written by respected art historian Ken McGregor, The Stencil Art of Luke Cornish. Joining Luke in conversation is Kate Fielding, CEO of Australia’s national arts and culture think tank, A New Approach.