The art community in Alabama has lost an artist who drew an entire generation — or two.
Clark Walker has been around since before World War II — 1940, to be exact.
He died on February 22 at age 85.
He adapted his style without sacrificing his artistry. Clark lived and worked through a period when his painting of people — Alabama people — was not the sought-after art of the day. The rage was abstract expressionism. So, what did he do about that?
Two things. He produced expressionist backgrounds for his preferred subject of people. And he sometimes did expressionist renderings of his people. It worked.
Walker's work lives on in the homes of art collectors in Montgomery. It is also featured in the studios of The Anton Haardt Gallery, Stonehenge Gallery, One Fine Art and the Montgomery Museum of Fine Art.
His early education was basic Alabama — Catholic School in Montgomery and the capital city's University of Alabama Extension Center. There, he studied under nationally known artist Charles Shannon, who influenced the young artist.
From there, it was north to Maine to the renowned Skowhegan School of Arts, founded and run by artists. It was a virtual boot camp for artists. He survived boot camp.
Back to Alabama and to the homes and galleries of Montgomery.
Here is the video of Clark Walker's life by Montgomery newsman Mark Bullock:
Clark Walker has been written up in a book by Foster Dickson, "I Just Make People Up: Ramblings with Clark Walker."
The Selma native depicted the people and places of contemporary Alabama with a mixture of realism and imagination.
Though Walker's passing marks the end of a prolific career, his legacy endures in the vibrant images he created and the stories they tell. His work is a testament to Southern art's power and Alabama's rich cultural heritage. — The Birmingham Free Press
Jim' Zig' Zeigler writes about Alabama's people, places, events, groups and prominent deaths. He is a former Alabama Public Service Commissioner and State Auditor. You can reach him for comments at [email protected].
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