About
Luke is an artist and photographer based in Kansas whose work plays on the interludes between the human condition and our relationships with the conditions which inform our realities; religion, politics, culture, environment.
Utilizing art with facts, Luke's goal is to create impactful and beneficial storytelling through exploration and education in a way that's visually engaging.
Luke has multiple works in the permanent collection of the Marianna Kistler Beach Museum of Art as well as commissioned works hanging in the Staley School of Leadership Studies, Morris Family Multicultural Student Center, and a permanent 12'x35' photographic ceiling mural installation in Hale Library on Kansas State University Campus.
Luke currently serves on the City of Manhattan Arts and Humanities Advisory Board.
Our world is an interesting reality, so I photograph it.
Current Exhibitions & Events:
2022: Kansas State University Hale Library, "2 Americas," Group Permanent Mural Installation, Kansas
The mural is a collection of work from photographers Luke Townsend and 400 North Creative-Doug Barrett which amplifies the Manhattan area voices and those enrolled at Kansas State University during the protests of civil unrest in 2020. This mural is a modern-day response to the 1980 “We Are the Dream” mural that was painted in the Libraries’ original Minorities Resource Center.
The mural will act as a large visual catalyst to further the Dow Center’s vision: To advance a deep and meaningful understanding of multiculturalism and diversity to create mutual awareness, respect, and open a pathway for dialog.
2022: "2Americas" mural was featured on the cover of Manhattan Magazine's Spring/Summer issue with an accompanying eight-page inside feature and interview with artists, Luke Townsend and Doug Barrett.
Contact
785.341.4161
luke@luketownsendphoto.com
Available for art commissions, assignments and image licensing
Luke is a freelance contract photographer for ZUMA Press
Exhibitions & Features
2022: Kansas State University AP Design-Regnier Hall, "2Americas," Lecture and Mural Tour; Fall Red Letter Event, Kansas
2022: Artist Talk- The Volland Store Gallery, "In (and Out of) Place," Group Show, Kansas
2022: Magazine Feature- Manhattan Magazine, "2Americas," Cover & Eight Page Inside Feature, Kansas
2022: The Volland Store Gallery, "In (and Out of) Place," Group Show, Kansas
2022: Kansas State University Hale Library, "2 Americas," Group Permanent Mural Installation, Kansas
2021: Manhattan Arts Center, "Two Weeks Two Cases," Solo Show, Kansas
2021: Morris Family Multicultural Student Center, "Selected works from Black Lives Movement Social Unrest Protests and work from India," Group Show & Permanent Collection, Kansas
2020: Marianna Kistler Beach Museum of Art, "Selected works from Covid-19 and Black Lives Movement," Group Show & Permanent Collection, Kansas
2019: Manhattan Arts Center, "Three Naive Portrait Artists," Group Show, Kansas
2017: Staley School of Leadership Studies, "20th Anniversary of Leadership Studies," Group Show & Permanent Collection, Kansas State University
2017: The Fellow Gallery, "LOST-India & Nepal," Solo Show, Kansas
2008: Marianna Kistler Beach Museum of Art, “Destruction Framed: Photographs of the Chapman/Manhattan Tornado,” Group Show & Permanent Collection, Kansas
