Biography | Artwork

 

Luke decided to become a full-time artist in 2005 after seeing Cy Twombly's Apollo collection at the Philadelphia Museum.  Discovered as a brilliant art talent in 2007 by Gallery directors Angela Di Bella and Robert Brooks in Chelsea, NY, public interest in his artwork and seemingly "rough and tumble" attitude caught fire in the underground art world and began to appear in blogs and subterranean art world mags.  In 2009 Yocum sold nearly 400 paintings from his Facebook page, to collectors around the world.  Bar fights and maniac moments on city streets in the USA and abroad have given the artist quite a reputation.  A twisted trail of human wreckage and tragedy resides in his past, glimpses of which can be seen in his art.  He has truly graduated from the school of hard knocks and is grateful for every success he has experienced, often creating art that not only peers into his torn past, but also comments on the political and social issues affecting the world today.  Yocum is currently represented by a multitude of galleries around the world, including 19 KAREN in Australia.

Artist Statement Champagne Hipster is a glimpse into the fake, superficial, trust-funded swine of today's Brooklyn beatnik. The disparity between those over 30 and those who are not old enough to appreciate the long look back on the retro coolness of the 1980's; a thrift store found by an up and coming pop musician that sparks the interest of designers to accessorize the youth with cameras they no longer make film for and tapes that cannot be played; a poverty lined wardrobe littering the streets, reeking of high-end cell phones and designer frames whilst soldiers die, the economy is recessionary, and the World Trade Center is gone...this our city, this is our America, this is our delusion of grandeur. A trend no one will admit to indulging in, whilst all the upper echelon unblushingly partake in it. The last hoorah of a beyond-the-grave, yuppie driven, market controlled force. As with any generation, it tries to define itself, and with any generation’s revolution we find ourselves captivated by the blinding light and speed. I too find myself drawn, often wondering why? Often questioning that maybe I have grown too old, too quick.

 

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2012 'The Art of Spain' 19 KAREN Contemporary Artspace, Gold Coast 

2012 'Champagne Hipster', Solo Show, 19 KAREN Contemporary Artspace, Gold Coast

2011 'Homage to Frida' Group show, June, 19 KAREN Contemporary Artspace, Gold Coast
2011  Varga Gallery, January, Woodstock, NY.

2010 Collaborative Tender, December, Graphic Hive Gallery, Williamsport, P.A.

2010 Modern Med, November, Graphic Hive Gallery, Williamsport, P.A.
2010 The Art of Wheels, September, Graphic Hive Gallery. Williamsport, P.A. 

2010 Beyond the Sprawl, The Westin Paris - Vendome, August,  Paris, France

2010 Collective Show,  Galeria Arte Vistas, July, Barcelona, Spain.
2010 Collective Show,  Galeria Arte Vistas, May-June, Barcelona, Spain.
2010 Collective Show, Galeria Arte Vistas, May, Barcelona, Spain.
2010 When in Rome, April, Chelsea Hotel, room 224, NYC   

2010 The X - Initiative,  February, Hosted by, Jerry Saltz. Chelsea, NYC.

2010 Open Studio @ Pack Slip, January, Best Western Inn,  NYC.

2009 Unchained & Melting Down, September, Infantree Gallery, Lancaster, P.A.

2009 Arts Along the Juniata, May, Ohesson. Lewistown, P.A.

2009 The U.S.S. Subterranean, February, Susquehanna Art Museum. HBG, P.A.

2009 Vengeance & Salvation, January, Hilton Towers Presidential Suite.HBG, P.A.

2009 New Years Eve Live Paint & Show. January, 2nd st. HBG, P.A.

2008 Lingerie Room, November, Live Paint. HBG, P.A.

2008 Lingerie Room, 2008, Underground Punk, HBG, P.A.

2008 Saturday Night Explosion, July . Progressive galleries, HBG, P.A.

2008 New Prophets, June, Former D - Gallery Ocean Side C.A.

2008 Capitol live paint @ HBG, Arts Fest. May, HBG, Mid Town Arts Center. HBG, P.A.

2008 Progressive Galleries. June Live paint w/ The Stacey Rock Band. HBG, P.A.

2008 Saturday Night Explosion, April. Progressive galleries, HBG, P.A.

2008 Saturday Night Explosion, March. Progressive galleries, HBG, P.A.

2008 Motion, February, Meat Locker Gallery

 

 

Q. At what age did you begin creating art?

A. I started to paint and build sculpture when I was about 8 years old.

 

Q. Why do you make art?

A. I'm not really the kind of guy that could do anything else.

 

Q. Who do you make it for?

 

Q. Do you plan out a piece or do you wing it?

 

Q. Do you have heroes? If so, who, if not why not?

A. Yes! My father.

 

Q. How do you decide when a piece of work is finished?

A. It’s done when "it has, it". If it doesn't, then it’s not done yet. I only trust my eyes.

 

Q. Do you have your own cure for artists block?

A. Yes! But it’s a very expensive secret I have for sale. Interested?

 

Q. Do you think having an art education is important in order to be successful?

A. No!

 

Q. What is your favourite memory connected to making art?

A. I’ve never made a painting, but I’ve created art with the passion of ten men...