M. G. WALKER

Walker works within a printmaking tradition that began with William Hogarth, the British satirist who worked in the early to mid part of the 18th century. Hogarth, and those who followed in his tradition, used print to satirise the human follies of their day. Walker’s current work explores ideas of transformation socially, politically and spiritually. In particular, he is interested in icons of power, as they undergo exposure, re-visioning and reformation.

Walker writes - ‘Printmaking has always, for me, been an extension of drawing, a way to enhance and make departures from drawing. I have worked with most of the traditional printmaking media (etching, stone lithography, relief print). I am presently making drawings with brush and ink as well as creating collaborative paintings with the the American-New Zealand colour-field painter, Ellen Johansen. 

M G Walker Artist Bio

Walker is a U.K. born and trained artist and has lived in New Zealand since 2003. Originally he was trained as a painter and then as a printmaker. He later trained as a psychologist.

January 2020

Ellen Johansen

Born in 1949 in New Jersey, United States, Ellen lives and works as an artist in Auckland, New Zealand.

Ellen studied painting at the University of Washington (Seattle), and has a MA in psychology from California State University, Sonoma. Ellen completed her masters degree in painting at Whitecliffe College of Arts and Design in Auckland. She currently exhibits in New Zealand and teaches creativity in her studio on Waiheke Island, Auckland and coaches individuals and groups in creativity development.

Her art works are primarily landscape-inspired abstractions comprised of fields of fluid colour in which nature’s textures, patterns and colour relationships are explored. Ellen’s art practice involves visual immersion in natural settings that can serve as a contemplative recollection of connectedness with and appreciation for wilderness.

In a concurrent strand of studio practice, she also collaborates with UK-born, New Zealand artist, M G Walker to create colour fields that provide a context for his finely-drawn political, social and mythical narratives. Ellen’s works have been included as finalists in the Walker & Hall Waiheke Art Award and in the New Zealand Painting and Printmaking Award. Ellen’s works are in private collections in USA, UK and New Zealand.