CQUniversity has recently appointed Luke Roberts - ‘Queensland's most eccentric contemporary artist'  (The Australian, December 11, 2009) - as its artist in residence.

This unconventional visual and performance artist, and creator of Her Divine Holiness Pope Alice and Alice Jitterbug, was centre-stage at a meet and greet event this week.

LINK HERE for More artist showcase snaps

A Luke Roberts photographic performance piece titled Adolph - self portrait (camera: John Elliott). University guests gained a unique insight into Luke's work as he prepared for a major exhibition at Brisbane's Institute of Modern Art in conjunction with the Australian Centre for Photography, Sydney.

Luke's work includes painting, installation, photography and performance.

He was the Australian Fellow, resident artist, at PS1, Institute of Contemporary Art, New York, and has received public art commissions from The Queensland State Government and Brisbane City Council.

He has artworks is in numerous public collections nationally and internationally, including the National Gallery of Australia and Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofia, Madrid.

Luke has a strong connection to Central Queensland as he was born in Alpha. A few years ago he came back to the region to create a number of art works incorporating Central Western Queensland themes.   

Luke Roberts at the meet and greet this week.

You can read more about Luke at http://www.lukerobertsartist.com/ and his alter ego Pope Alice at http://www.popealice.com/  .

A full biography can also be accessed here.

Luke has signed an MOU with CQUniversity for a period of one year, the first appointment of its kind at the University since the 1970s.

The University has long been an avid supporter of the arts and has an extensive arts collection which is displayed around its campuses. 

The residency provides Luke space at the Ron Smyth Building on Quay Street, allowing him to continue his research and work towards his current project. A work of art will be donated to the University at the end of the residency.

CQUniversity is delighted to support the development of art and culture in our region, in this case by helping encourage appreciation of contemporary art by a broader audience.

Rockhampton artist Shane Fitzgerald and CQUniversity Art Curator Holly Grech-Fitzgerald at the artist in residence meet and greet this week.The residency has also provided an opportunity for CQUniversity to continue its path towards being Australia's most engaged university by reconnecting with the local arts community.

The recent function was well attended by members of the local arts community, including some high school arts teachers, who brought their students along to the event.  

The event was put together by the Office of Development and Graduate Relations, with the assistance of Holly Grech-Fitzgerald, CQUniversity Art Collection Officer & Curator.

In preparation for the upcoming exhibition, Luke will be travelling regularly between Brisbane, Rockhampton and west to Alpha.  

Please contact Tamsen Clifford-Banks, Community Engagement Coordinator, in the Office of Development and Graduate Relations on 4923 2822 for more information on the appointment or if you would like to discuss any upcoming opportunities that might be of interest to Luke during his term as the Artist in Residence. 

Vice-Chancellor Scott Bowman officially announces the appointment of Luke Roberts as CQUniversity's Artist in Residence.