Punts and Paintbrushes: Nick Larkey
Art by Will Puglielli
Interview by Phoebe Sloane
Athletes. While we admire them from the most reclined of positions, their physical greatness can often put us to shame. And not because we’re devouring cheap chicken out of a bucket, but because of this weird little insecurity inside us that says: we won’t ever be able to do what they do.
We’ll never be able to jump that high or run that fast.
So, we like to tell ourselves that sports stars can only be extremely good at one thing. Maybe if they’re one of the greatest, like Michael Jordan, they have permission to infiltrate popular culture. Perhaps once retired, they might side-step into the entertainment business or if you’re Shaquille O’Neal you might run your own like his carwash/Taco Bell empire. Even so, this greatness off the court is rarely talked about, because our egos don’t like us to see them as anything more.
But recently, this perception is starting to shift. Athletes are starting to show that they’re more than just their muscle mass and that some also have a creative side too. Serena Williams attended art classes during her tour at the French Open, NBA Hall of Famer Carmelo Anthony’s art collection is growing by the day and Usain Bolt has taken up photography. And it’s pretty awesome.
If we really think about it, artists and athletes actually have a lot in common. Both are tumultuous career paths, full of highs and lows. An often long, committed chase for excellence, fuelled by a determination to master their craft and be amongst the best.
For North Melbourne’s Nick Larkey, he is talented enough to play in both camps. While he trains hard to play better on the field, his passion for painting is also helping him kick goals. After picking up a paintbrush in primary school and discovering a love for graffiti culture in high-school, Larkey has kept on creating. His Instagram page, @larkwork, has been a place where he’s been able to express his artistic side to his friends, fans and teammates. We chat about portraits, painting club rooms and how art is form of therapy for the centre-half-forward.
What inspires your art?
I really like Ben Quilty’s work. He’s a famous Australian artist and probably my favourite. I love how he uses texture in his paintings. I find my inspiration pretty much anywhere – off the internet and in newspapers.
Good stories always make for good art.
You can interpret the story in different ways and influencing how it comes out onto a canvas or a wall. I’m really keen to put an exhibition together in the future, so I’m currently exploring ideas themes or a narrative that could work. I’m waiting to find some inspiration I guess…
What do you like to paint?
Painting the big, life-scale stuff excites me the most. I’m not so great with anything super detailed. I like the work to be somewhat impressionistic. Big brush strokes. Textured paint.
I like doing portraits, especially indigenous ones. There’s this beautiful, strong history and culture. I love to paint things with meaning and that tell a story.
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But having said that, sometimes I can get just as much enjoyment out of painting something light-hearted like a giant mural of a monster on someone’s roof-top.
Having an AFL career must be pretty demanding, what makes you keep painting?
Art is something I enjoy doing. It’s an activity that almost always gives me a positive mindset. I often work pretty quickly when I have a canvas or a mural - I don’t like painting across multiple days. Because I like to get it done, I can really throw myself into a piece, getting lost in it, where I lose track of time.
It takes me into a really good headspace where I let go of what I was previously thinking about or holding onto in my gut. It’s pretty therapeutic.
I also don’t get too tied up in it - it’s more of an enjoyment thing. I try to keep my life pretty balanced with a great support network around me with family and friends. North Melbourne also have great resources for us players to turn to if/when we need help. So that and painting keeps me in a good place where I don’t feel the pressure. A passion that serves as a good balance for what I do, as well as a little bit of income on the side.
You’ve painted the club rooms, can you tell us a bit about that?
I can’t exactly remember how it came to me, but I remember that they were thinking of getting a professional in. And at the time, they were doing a big re-development of that part of the building, and players were asked if they wanted to donate. Part of my donation was that painting.
It was more than just a mural to me. It was special, as it was going to be there on the wall for years and years to come – even when I’m done.
What did you paint?
I had an idea of doing a big Hulk - shredding off his clothes and stuff. But it was our head of strength and conditioning, Alex Moore who said “why not make it a big kangaroo?” And then I said, “oh yeah.” I went away and sketched something up and they liked it. It’s a big kangaroo under a blue light, hitting you.
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Have you found that your team-mates have gotten around LarkWork?
Absolutely. I’m a bit surprised by it as well.
Because it’s not the norm for a footy player to have an artistic flair.
They love it. I’ve done a lot of commission paintings of kids, players and the club. They’re always impressed and supportive. North has a really good culture where you’re accepted for who you are. It’s part of the reason why I love it there so much.
Do you think it’s hard for athletes to be perceived as anything other than “physical”?
I think so. I feel the media is getting a lot better these days at portraying athletes as more than just athletes. Certainly I think in the past it has been a lot of “you’re an athlete, you’re only an athlete.”
But we all know there’s a lot more to life than footy. Although it’s our job and we love it, it doesn’t take up our whole life.
Many of us spend time studying, doing part-time courses or doing a trade. And hobbies too.
For me, I’m committed to both. I think at the moment, art is a profession and hobby. If I can have a successful AFL career for 10+ years and set myself up financially, I could commit to art full-time. A lot of artists struggle with the financial pressure of their craft, but if I could set myself up it might be easier for me. I’d be really lucky if I could.
Lastly, do you think your art will go up in value if you win a premiership?
I think if we win a premiership everything goes up in value – including me.
That is the dream.
Check out @larkwork.
