Luke Hunker

Luke Hunker is a multi-media artist whose work both satirizes and comments on mainstays in popular culture both past, present, and future. Luke incorporates an excess of preexisting logos and characters that are intended for both immediate recognition and reference to niche subcultures. The pieces that combine and spawn from these elements often contain an energetic and fantasy-like narrative that conveys Luke’s uncontrollable desire for humor and satire. Luke often resorts to digital programs such as Photoshop to collage and draft his works. While some photo-based works stay in the digital realm, others escape the screen and are transferred onto physical mediums. This is where the juvenile appreciation of bright colors and easily recognizable imagery can transport the view to times past, present, or future. The chaotic and vibrant clash of colors and branding can be traced back to his appreciation for energetic genres of music such as metal (and its endless subgenres) and hyper pop. A prime example of this is Luke’s 2023 Untitled self-portrait. In what started off as a satirical take on nostalgia, he combines the branding and logos of popular childhood products to create an instantly recognizable and relatable painting. While ranging from manipulated photography to traditional painting, Luke strives to incorporate a youthful and chaotic energy. While often in the form of borrowed logos and characters, Luke’s work leaves viewers with a fresh comedic take on existing media.