About Us

Introduction

I have by others been asked to write something about myself. This is something I never do, they often say
“study yourself” too but I haven’t got time to do that and its too difficult.
However after compiling this book I am now able to look back at earlier work which is fascinating. Where
was I, what was I thinking? As difficult as you may find explaining what you see I am compelled to
unravel the mirrors and place you in charge. I therefore use words rather than paint.
My parents never encouraged me to paint, just the opposite because my father and she and aunt were
continually constructively engaged in exploring creative pursuits.
However when I began to stretch canvases as large as double garage doors on the back verandah with my
feet. Well, they said nothing! In fact they went noticeably quiet. But I had drawn from the age of seven,
my mother a pioneer art teacher, my father a sculptor of high repute.
And that is what happened when I grew up. They gave me all the freedom I wanted and never criticised
my work. The luckiest person alive! For when I was born on a cold night outside the Sydney Lottery
Office, because the ambulance driver and I advised mother to buy a lottery ticket which she did, she won
the lottery!
I grew up in the 60s in a little settlement on the edge of Sydney Harbour, surfed and fished and grew
vegetables. One may see here and in other books.
My second exhibition in 1972 was in Clarence Street, Sydney. Fourteen canvas paintings and fourteen
smaller works to one and a half mtrs square. The largest canvas was five mtrs by three.
After that I was written up in newspapers, - television and radio interviews.
I now hide in the northern Rivers region of New South Wales in subtropical rain forest and miss the sea.
I have had many exhibitions and I used to auction my smaller works however the trials of life have lent
me lately to polish my writing and concentrate on those tiniest of details such as micro particles, the
weather and health.

Ian Trafford Walker
2026