Stephen Walker (sculptor)

The Bernacchi Tribute, bronze, Hobart

Stephen Walker (1927–16 June 2014) was an Australian sculptor who was made a member of the Order of Australia in 1985.[1]

Early life

Walker was born in Balwyn[2] or Colac,[3] Victoria in Australia in 1927.[4] He left school at age 13[3] but attended Melbourne Teachers' College from 1945 to 1947[2] before moving to Hobart in 1948.[5] In the 1950s he repeatedly traveled to Europe, studying sculpting under Henry Moore[3] from 1954 to 1956 and visiting Rome, Florence and Prague through scholarships.[2] On his return to Australia he settled in Tasmania.[5]

Work

Tank Stream Fountain (1981), bronze, Sydney

Walker mainly created bronze sculptures, including the Tank Stream Fountain (1981) near Circular Quay, Sydney and a memorial for Antarctic explorer Louis Bernacchi at Hobart's Victoria Dock.[3] His statues were designed to be usable, for example by strengthening them so people could sit on them. Four of his works are included in the National Heritage Register.[6] Much of his work was inspired by nature and by Antarctica,[5] a continent he visited twice in the 1980s via the Australian Antarctic Division's Humanities Program.[2]

Walker also created medals, including the Royal Society of Tasmania's Joseph Banks Memorial Lecture medal. The Museum Victoria noted his excellence in design.[4] In 1985 Walker was awarded the Order of Australia.[6]

Personal life and death

Walker had two children. He died in Hobart on June 16, 2014 of a lung infection.[3]

References

  1. ↑ "Gazette: S17: Australia Day 1985 Honours" (PDF). Commonwealth of Australia. 26 January 1985. p. 4. Retrieved 9 March 2015.
  2. 1 2 3 4 "Stephen Walker 1984-85, 1986-87". Australian Antarctic Division. Retrieved March 7, 2015.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 Howard, Jessica (June 20, 2014). "Celebrated Tasmanian artist Stephen Walker dies at age 86". The Mercury.
  4. 1 2 "Stephen Walker, Sculptor (1927-?)". Museum Victoria. Retrieved March 7, 2015.
  5. 1 2 3 Raabus, Carol; Wisbey, Chris (July 29, 2013). "Stephen Walker's mark on Tasmania". ABC.
  6. 1 2 "Stephen Walker, celebrated Tasmanian sculptor, dies aged 86". ABC. June 19, 2014.
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