Author(s): Rosanne Somerson, Lara Merrington

Art

Peter Walker combines sculptural composition with functional design to explore the inherent abstract qualities of timber. Peter Walker: Tanglewood documents the material poetry of a master craftsman grounded in curiosity, dexterity and a commitment to making the impossible possible. Spanning three decades and two continents, Walker's professional practice encompasses visual art, furniture design, surfboard building and teaching. Walker exhibits his work regularly throughout Australia and the USA. His creative practice extends to one-off speculative commissions, and design for smallbatch and mass production. The artist's work as a designer-maker is entwined with teaching and mentoring, as well as developing industry-related and cultural initiatives highlighting the importance of art and design in our society, ecology and education systems. Walker has played an active role in connecting important art and design institutions between the USA and Australia, from JamFactory, Adelaide, and the University of South Australia, to the Rhode Island School of Design (RISD) and Haystack Mountain School of Crafts, Maine.