A special series of events have been arranged to mark the 90th birthday of an “inspirational” Aberdeen artist who is yet to hang up her paintbrush.
Frances Walker’s breathtaking depictions of “coastal reaches, craggy rocks and deserted beaches” have made her one of Scotland’s most highly-regarded living artists.
Born in Kirkcaldy in 1930, Walker studied at Edinburgh College of Art and, after attending Moray House College of Education, became sole teacher of art for all schools in Harris and North Uist between 1956 and 1958.
She then then became a lecturer in drawing and painting at Gray’s School of Art, in Aberdeen, where she worked until 1985.
Throughout this time she was a founding members of Peacock Printmakers – now known as Peacock Visual Arts.
To mark her 90th birthday next week, plans have now been announced to provide a fitting celebration.
Peacock Visual Arts staff have planned a year-long programme of events including talks and demonstrations, with an exhibition in the pipeline for 2021.
So she can continue to inspire artists for decades to come, a new space has also been named the Frances Walker Studio.
Last night Neil Corall, of Peacock Visual Arts, said: “In 1974 Frances was one of the founding members of Peacock, known then as Peacock Printmakers.
“This ongoing relationship has spanned the 46 years until now, resulting in an immensely important body of prints.
“Her experience of teaching art in the Hebrides led to a lifelong love of wild and desolate places.
“Since then, she has chosen to depict the most remote landscapes and her compositions are often based on coastal reaches, craggy rocks and deserted beaches.”
Frances Walker, Antarctic Landscape, 2020
14.8 x 42 cm, Lambeth Drawing Cartridge 250 gsm
Screenprint, edition of 50, £90It will be available from our online stores on the 19th Aug.#aberdeen #peacockvisualarts #franceswalker #franceswalkerat90 #screenprint #creativitymatters pic.twitter.com/rM85YEikzo
— Peacock Visual Arts (@PeacockVisArts) July 23, 2020
More recently, Walker has divided her time between Aberdeen and the Western Isles, especially Tiree, where she owns a thatched cottage.
Mr Corall added: “This dedication to place, absorption and observation is central to understanding Frances’s vision as an artist. Her unshakeable loyalty, friendship, tutelage and endurance is a metre that set a score.”
A collaborative print is also being created with Walker.
Screenprint Antarctic Landscape will be printed in a limited edition of 50 these will be priced at £90 and available for purchase on the day of Walker’s 90th birthday, August 19.
