Sculpting a piece of Australia’s cultural heritage in metal was a formidable undertaking for Caboolture-based chainsaw artist and boxing coach Luke Sheehan.
In a departure from his usual medium of wood, Luke has created a life-sized mixed-media piece titled, Such is Life.
The metal and wood sculpture depicts legendary Australian bushranger Ned Kelly astride his horse and is attracting national attention as Luke’s entry in Outback Sculpture 2024, a competition held annually in Roma that celebrates world-class street art.
Luke said his main goal was to make a horse but that he decided to add the figure of Ned Kelly in his trademark suit of iron.
“Ned Kelly is one of the most iconic figures in Australian history,” Luke said.
Caboolture locals agree. Passers-by stopped to take selfies with the finished artwork, as it stood in Luke’s front yard awaiting delivery to Roma.
Chainsaw Art in Caboolture: Luke Sheehan’s Tribute to Ned Kelly in Mixed Media
Luke likened his creative process to unravelling different puzzles and putting them together.
“I’ve never done anything like this before, so it was very challenging,” he said. “I had a voice inside saying, ‘You can do this,’ and another saying, ‘No, you can’t.’”
Using a minimal toolkit comprising a welder, grinder, multi-grips, mallet and a hammer, Luke experimented with innovative techniques to bend and weld the metal and mix epoxy resin within the wood to ensure it didn’t ignite during welding.
Luke said he worked on the artwork every spare minute between his regular jobs as a PT Head Coach at Spiders Gym in Caboolture and a chainsaw carver at weekend shows.
“It’s been a journey,” he said. “I’ve missed out on family events and even my own birthday.”
His supportive family and friends helped – his daughter as a model for Ned’s hands and a friend straddled the back of Luke’s couch to simulate a riding posture for the Kelly figure.
To achieve a further degree of realism for the piece, Luke researched Ned’s gun, deconstructed leather boots and spent four days perfecting the curvature of the horse’s ears. He describes the saddle as a sculpture in its own right. In all, it took him over 460 hours to complete.
Competition winners were announced in Roma on 15 June. Although Luke’s Such is Life sculpture missed out on a prize, it is on public display in Roma’s Outdoor Walk of Art until 29 September, after which it will be listed for sale.
Find out more at www.romaonbungil.com.au
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