MY FATHER, RALPH TRAFFORD WALKER (ARTIST)

From 1931-1942, RALPH TRAFFORD WALKER studied classical drawing, painting and sculpture at art schools in Brisbane and Sydney. William Dobell, Margaret Olley, Tom Bass, James Cant, Justin O'Brien and Godfrey Miller were co-students and colleagues.

Ralph continued his creative work with total dedication throughout his life. He lived quietly at the family home in Balgowlah, Sydney, exhibited infrequently and made little attempt to sell his work. For many years, his studio was a small timber yurt in the back yard of the home, concealed by the bush garden designed by his wife Jean, who is an artist, potter, sculptor, author and landscape designer. When Ralph died in 2003, few people knew of his artistic achievements; those who did, were effusive in praise of his work.

Artist Credo:

"The basis of my work from the beginning has been the study of the human figure. I felt unattracted to the bleakness of the abstract and other fads of modern art. The figure still held for me all the warmth and mystery and infinite variety of nature. I believe also that the best art is produced by long traditions" Ralph Trafford Walker 1993.

"Ralph is an enigma. He doesn't seek applause ..." Phillip Adams AO, author, commentator, broadcaster, collector of antiquities, 1997.

"I was in Australia last year. Who is this man? Why did I not hear of this man? Why didn't I see his work?" Tommaso Trini. Italian designer, art critic, author. Personal comment on viewing Ralph's work in Milan, 1978.

"What has been hiding in Australia - unbelievable ..." Gisella Scheinberg. Author, art critic, director of Holdsworth Galleries, Sydney, 1987.

" ... this extraordinary body of works ... has gone unnoticed ... our art time-line is inaccurate due to his absence ... generations of Australian artists are missing out on this master's pedagogy" Stephen Fearnley. Digital media artist, film maker, composer and teacher, 2005.

"He draws like a Michelangelo" Pamille Berg. Curator of works for Parliament House, Canberra; 2003.

"Rembrandt, Delacroix and Rodin drew like Ralph" Phillip Adams AO, author, commentator, broadcaster; 1997.

"Ralph is the best draughtsman in Australia" Henry Cornwallis Gibbons. Teacher, Julian Ashton Art School, Sydney; 1930s.

"Ralph draws like an angel" Richard Leplastrier. Sydney architect, lecturer; opening Ralphs retrospective at Manly Art Gallery; 2001.

"... each line is perfect" Gisella Scheinberg. Author, critic, Director of Holdsworth Galleries, Sydney; 1987.