Walker’s work celebrates rebirth

Visitors to Magness Library in the past week or so have been treated to an artistic revelation of the first magnitude with the vividly colorful, inventive and thought provoking artwork of Warren County native Jerry D. Walker, which has been put on display as part of the grand opening celebration of the Col. Gentry Moffitt addition to the library. The exhibit will continue through the month of October.

Walker has some 30 pieces meticulously mounted on the walls of the newly renovated and expanded historic building, which would be the equivalent of a major exhibition at an art gallery. The show is aptly titled ‘An Exhibit for the Spirits of the Earth,’ since the work incorporates and embodies an amazing amalgam of plant and animal life into its themes and images.

Walker is a 1987 graduate of the Ringling School of Art and Design in Sarasota, Florida, where he resides and maintains a studio. Mr. Walker has received an honorary certificate from ‘Outstanding Young Men of America’ and ‘Who’s Who among American College Students.’ He also received Academic Achievement Awards from the Ringling School of Art and Design.

His paintings have been exhibited at The Tatum Gallery of Fort Lauderdale and the Walker Gallery of Sarasota. He is also represented by the Design Gallery of Flowers and Found Objects in Fort Lauderdale.

While in McMinnville for the Magness Library Grand Opening Gala Walker took some time out to talk with WCPI Public Radio commentator Bill Zechman and this reporter about his work and the genesis of the Magness exhibit.

Zechman asked Walker specifically about one of his works, titled ‘Tree of Life,’ which included images of plants, butterfly wings and even dragons.

‘One thing that really stands out is that it’s very kinetic,’ Zechman said. ‘There’s a lot of motion in your art. Tell us about that.’

‘Well, my artwork is very influenced by nature,’ Walker said, ‘and the organic flow of nature.

‘This painting especially, is called ‘Tree of Life,’ Walker said. ‘It is a tree that is composed of living organisms, flowers and fish, and I just think that when we look around our world, there are so many beautiful things that we have that we need to take advantage of looking at.’

Walker talked about his work methods, which includes music as an inspiration.

‘When I work on a new piece of art I usually pick out a new piece of music and play that,’ Walker said. ‘So within my paintings you will see a rhythm.’

Walker says his work is also influenced by art styles which utilize geometric images, which he blends with organic shapes to create his signature style.

‘I’m very fond of Art Nouveau and Art Deco as well,’ Walker said. ‘In my paintings you will see geometric shapes enclosed with organic shapes.’

Magness officials contacted him in January, so Walker says he designed the show specifically for the grand opening and created a number of new pieces just for the exhibit.

‘I told them since they had given me that much notice that I would start an entire new series of artworks thinking about the rebirth and regeneration of the library,’ Walker said. ‘So most of the paintings here are about being reborn, very energetic, with beautiful vibrant colors, because I wanted to do something for Warren County that people would enjoy looking at, but would be a departure from traditional art.’

To hear the entire interview, hosted by Zechman, tune in to WCPI Public Radio, 91.3 FM, today at 2:03 p.m. and again on Friday, Aug. 4 at 2:03 p.m.