Larry Walker (artist) facts for kids

Larry Walker (born October 22, 1935) is an American artist and a retired art professor. He often creates art using different materials (called mixed media collages). His art shows city scenes and talks about big ideas like what it means to be human and fairness in society. Mr. Walker lives and works in Stonecrest, Georgia. He used to teach art at the University of the Pacific and Georgia State University.

Early Life and Inspiration

Larry Walker was born in Franklin, Georgia, on October 22, 1935. In 1941, after his father passed away, his family moved to Harlem, a busy part of New York City. The city life around him became a big inspiration for his artwork.

He often watched people from the fire escape of his apartment building. He also remembers his experiences taking the train as someone from the South moving to a big city. His community on 145th Street also greatly influenced his art.

Art Career and Teaching

Walker graduated from the High School of Music & Art. This school is now known as Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School. After high school, he moved to Detroit to attend Wayne State University. There, he earned degrees in Art Education, Drawing, and Painting.

In 1964, Mr. Walker began teaching at the University of the Pacific in Stockton, California. He became a professor and later led the art department. In 1983, he and his family moved to Atlanta, Georgia. He started teaching at Georgia State University and directed their art program. He taught there until he retired in 2000. Today, his art is shown by Mason Fine Art in Atlanta, Georgia.

Larry Walker's Artwork

In 2016, for his 80th birthday, Larry Walker's daughter, Kara Walker, helped arrange a special art show for him. This show featured his works from over 50 years. It was held at Sikkema Jenkins, which is the gallery that represents Kara Walker.

The exhibition showed 38 pieces of Larry Walker's art. These artworks often showed how human bodies and landscapes change over time. His art can be found in many important collections. These include the High Museum of Art, the Studio Museum in Harlem, and the Philadelphia Museum of Art. His work is also at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art.

The Museum of Contemporary Art of Georgia also has his art in its permanent collection. In 2018, this museum held a two-part exhibition of his work. Larry Walker's art was also part of the 2020 State of the Art exhibition at the Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art. He also had a solo show at the Marietta/Cobb Museum of Art in September 2020.

Personal Life

Larry Walker has been married to his wife, Gwen, since 1958. They have three children: Dana, Larry Jr., and Kara. He currently lives and creates art from his home studio in Stonecrest, Georgia.