George Lukes began his career in 1957 after leaving art school and achieved early success two years later by becoming the youngest winner of the Jacques Cartier Memorial Award. Although it is necessary for an engraver to be a master of calligraphy and heraldic design, it is the unique handling of light and atmosphere in his landscapes and portraits that has distinguished George from his contempories. Literally millions of pounds worth of gold and silver articles have been exported as vehicles for an art from which he has largely pioneered.
During a long career George has trained many apprentices, none more successful than Samantha Johnson. She began her career in 1986 and became the first and only woman to win the Cartier Award six years later. Samantha has a style all her own, a delicacy of touch which distinguishes her work from that of her mentor.
The Jacques Cartier Award is the premier prize awarded by the Worshipful Company of Goldsmiths' Craft Council at their annual competition.
The engraver's art is not simple two dimensional. It is possible to carve metal and produce an effect (base relief), which can be reproduced using modern pressure casting and electroforming techniques. This means that intricate labour intensive detailed article can be produced at modest prices within, we hope, the reach of the average household.
Image credits (from left): Goldsmiths Arms, House of Lords, Master & apprentices.