Monica Brewster Evening 2020: Bobby Campbell Luke

Photos Hayley Bethell

Bobby Campbell Luke designs displayed in Gallery 6, under Len Lye's Sky Snakes, 1965 (2020).
Mannequins generously lent by Et Vous.

Bobby Campbell Luke designs displayed in Gallery 6, under Len Lye's Sky Snakes, 1965 (2020).
Theory Food team preparing canapés.

Theory Food's beautiful canapés.
Monica Brewster Evening: Bobby Campbell Luke. Gallery 6, Govett-Brewster Art Gallery / Len Len Centre.

Monica Brewster Evening: Bobby Campbell Luke. Gallery 6, Govett-Brewster Art Gallery / Len Len Centre.

Six Barrel Soda's, boutique soda.
Monica Brewster Evening: Bobby Campbell Luke. Gallery 6, Govett-Brewster Art Gallery / Len Len Centre.

Monica Brewster Evening: Bobby Campbell Luke. Gallery 6, Govett-Brewster Art Gallery / Len Len Centre.

Monica Brewster Evening: Bobby Campbell Luke. East Ramp, Govett-Brewster Art Gallery / Len Lye Centre.

Monica Brewster Evening: Bobby Campbell Luke. Gallery 6, Govett-Brewster Art Gallery / Len Lye Centre.

Bobby Campbell Luke designs displayed in Gallery 6, under Len Lye's Sky Snakes, 1965 (2020).

Monica Brewster Evening: Bobby Campbell Luke. Gallery 6, Govett-Brewster Art Gallery / Len Lye Centre.

Bobby Campbell Luke designs displayed in Gallery 6, under Len Lye's Sky Snakes, 1965 (2020).

Monica Brewster Evening: Bobby Campbell Luke. Gallery 6, Govett-Brewster Art Gallery / Len Lye Centre.

Monica Brewster Evening: Bobby Campbell Luke. Gallery 5, Govett-Brewster Art Gallery / Len Lye Centre.

Bobby Campbell Luke designs displayed in Gallery 6, under Len Lye's Sky Snakes, 1965 (2020).

Monica Brewster Evening: Bobby Campbell Luke. Gallery 5, Govett-Brewster Art Gallery / Len Lye Centre.

Bobby Campbell Luke:
Ngakau Mahaki - Walking my mothers Footsteps.

The Monica Brewster Evenings (MBE) in association with Govett Quilliam – The Lawyers bring an impressive array of national and international artists and cultural thinkers to New Plymouth. For a different kind of night out, join us for talks, presentations and performances in a casual and intimate atmosphere.

The Govett-Brewster’s 2020 line-up brings together speakers working across a range of disciplines. They are at the forefront of urgent conversations locally, nationally and internationally and leaders within their respective fields, all pushing for new and innovative approaches to engaging with art and culture - often with a deep attentiveness to the specificities of place, and a focus on Indigenous histories and ways of knowing.

In this first talk of the Monica Brewster Evenings for 2020, fashion designer Bobby Campbell Luke (Ngāti Ruanui, Taranaki descent) will speak about his design and art processes that explore Māori identity, culture and history as well as share the deeply personal narratives behind his work.

An interdisciplinary practitioner with a background in fashion, textile, photography and moving image. Bobby Luke is currently in the final year of his PhD, advocating for change to current social impacts of culture within fashion and fashion education.

With a strong matriarchal upbringing Bobby strives to decolonise fashion aesthetics, to empower women’s individuality and inspire creativity through sentimental design and articles of our past.

He conceived his brand Campbell Luke in 2015. His partner Dominic Blake (Ngāti Kahungunu) subsequently joined the label and together, their highly collaborative partnership provides a strong kaupapa Māori work ethic.

Bobby's collections are inspired by combining his fond early childhood memories with his unique design aesthetic. His appearance at New Zealand Fashion Week was described by many as the most moving show in 2019.

Monica Brewster Evening 2020: Bobby Campbell Luke

Photos Hayley Bethell

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