Larry Walker honored at reception

Artist and educator presented with Atlanta Contemporary’s Nexus Award

Photo credit:

Larry Walker has taught every grade except kindergarten. The Georgia-born artist started teaching in the Detroit public school system before serving as a professor and later chair of the University of the Pacific’s Department of Art. He then spent 11 years as the Georgia State School of Art and Design director. In his career as an artist, his work has been the subject of more than 40 solo exhibitions and on display as part of over 200 group exhibits.

Walker’s art has had many different looks in the more than 50 years he’s been at it. His Wall Spirits series is very urban blight, with brick walls covered in graffiti, flyers, and ads. In the past he’s concocted landscapes with large vistas, micro-scapes, and people that at first appear to be one person — but are actually two. The style varies, but Walker consistently plays with the boundary between interior and exterior in his work.

Atlanta Contemporary’s Nexus Award is the most recent honor bestowed on the artist, who was also one of the inaugural recipients of MOCA GA’s working artist project. The Nexus Award is presented to someone who has made significant contributions to the contemporary arts and Atlanta’s art community. Previous recipients include Michael Rooks, Susan Bridges, and Lucinda Bunnen.

Nexus Award 2016. Private reception. 7 p.m. Fri., Sept 23. Atlanta Contemporary, 535 Means St. N.W. 404-688-1970. atlantacontemporary.org.