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Artist Spotlight: Duke of Dalgety lightbox art

El’ise used one of his gorgeous pieces in her home. And - bonus - turns out artist Ashley Sinnott lives literally around the corner from The Block!


We find out how this talented artist creates his gorgeous illuminated artworks, and take a squiz inside his colour-popping art-filled home:

How long have you been producing your art?
I started photography nearly 30 years ago, but I recently took up painting again having not painted since school. I moved across to creating my works on a digital platform in 2015. 

Where do you draw inspiration from?
I get inspired from so many different areas, but primarily from photographs that I’ve taken. I have a library of over 146,000 images! I also look at many other works in galleries, museums, and in magazines and books. 

Duke of Dalgety Art
Inside Ashley's incredible colour-popping art-filled home.

How long does it take to create a piece?
The time it takes varies dramatically from work to work. I have some works that I’ve finished very quickly in less than seven days and other works that have stretched out over 2 to 3 years, where I’ve gone back and worked on a piece and then revisited it. Sometimes I need to rework it again and again. 

How would you describe your art?
I would describe my art is very diverse and covering a wide variety of subject matter. Though my key areas tend to be people, flowers and gardens, and abstracts and animals. My work is produced in a variety of formats - everything from photo metallic prints to works on canvas. More recently I’ve been using lightboxes, both LED and RGB versions.

The Duke at Nicole Jacobs' book launch
Ashley 'The Duke' pictured with Block contestant Mitch and Sheena from ' Shut up & Kiss Me by boys' at Nicole Jacobs' book launch.

Where do you like to create your art?
The wonderful thing is, I work on an iPad, so in simple terms, everywhere from my mother‘s couch, to on planes, in bed, and if it was waterproof, I probably would do it in the shower! You have to love creating in our current world of technology, and all the possibilities it brings...

How do you come up with a name for your artwork?
Well, sometimes it’s obvious - especially if it’s of someone. Sometimes I try and be creative, especially if it’s an abstract and people are going to see different things in the work. Places, people and animals are much easier to name than an image that looks like it’s been through a kaleidoscope. But I must admit, it’s a lot of fun. I think of it like naming a child!



Your work features on The Block this year. How did that come about?
I have been aware of The Block for many years and my mother is a great fan of the show. Last year, when The Block came to St Kilda and restored the Gatwick, it really was next door, as I live in the next street. One of my close friends who works in real estate knows a lady that works with the producers of the show. When she became aware of the location of this season, she insisted I should meet with the Block team with a view to maybe contributing something towards the show. With that in mind, I had a function at my studio to show off my latest works and it was on that night that a representative of the show attended. 

Matt and Elise Block Studio
'The Countess' featured in El'ise and Matt's studio apartment. “Look at the colour in here,” Shaynna said, upon entering the striking space. “They know how to do artwork, this couple,” she added.

Awesome!
I then got an opportunity to meet the producers and some of the contestants at a book launch. It was at this launch that I met Matt and E'lise, who were renovating House 4 this season - we had a fabulous connection from the very start. They loved what I was currently working on with light installations, and we're very excited by the prospect of incorporating one of them into their house this year. I was excited we made it happen - we ended up collaborating with two of my lightboxes.

That must have felt great...
It’s wonderful and very exciting. I think the best part of it is that you get to collaborate with some great people and contribute to their overall vision. And hopefully, help them win the show!

Duke of Dalgety Art grid

Shop Duke of Dalgety's Art HERE

Shop The Block 2019 Art HERE

Meet the talented artists behind these works HERE

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