A dedicated Visual Arts educator at Teneo, Luke balances his passion for teaching with his career as a practising artist. His most recent achievement brings both worlds together: five of his digital artworks have been selected for exhibition at the President Hotel in Sea Point, showcasing his expressive interpretation of the Cape Town landscape.

Working primarily in digital drawing, Luke captures Lion’s Head from multiple vantage points around the city. Living in Sea Point, he sees the mountain as a constant companion — a symbol of stability and reflection amid Cape Town’s shifting skyline. “It witnesses our lives — our milestones, joys, and struggles — while remaining quietly steadfast,” he says.

Hackney, Luke. A New Morning. 2024. Digital drawing

Influenced by Post-Impressionism and Fauvism, Luke’s work embraces bold colour, light, and layered tones to convey emotion and energy. Pieces like After the Storm and A New Morning reflect moments of transition and hope — gentle reminders that clarity often follows uncertainty.

For Luke, art and education are inseparable. “Teaching keeps me curious,” he says. “It pushes me to explore new ideas, and that same curiosity is what I try to spark in my learners.”

Hackney, Luke. A New Vantage Point. 2024. Digital drawing.

Having his work displayed in a public Cape Town space feels deeply meaningful — both as an artist and an educator. Seeing his pieces in dialogue with the city that inspired them feels like a full-circle moment. “As an educator, it is rewarding to show my students that creative practice can exist beyond the classroom — that art belongs in public spaces and in dialogue with people’s daily lives,” he says.

To his learners, Luke offers a message that reaches beyond art: stay curious and trust the process. “The creative journey isn’t always straightforward,” he says. “Every experiment, mistake, and discovery contributes to who you become. Don’t wait for the perfect moment to start — just begin.”