David Walker

I began making photographs in 1983. I’d been working as an Art Director in Advertising after leaving Secondary School in 1963. I didn't attend my 11 plus exam, because my mother thought I was too sensitive, I spent the whole period during the Technical Examination in the toilet. I was a difficult child. As a consequence I stayed in Secondary Education until 1963 when armed with only my school portfolio I acquired two jobs in advertising. In 1983 after ten years in advertising I began to look at the work of Diane Arbus, Gene Smith, and Kenneth Graves. I was working then as one half of a freelance concept team with a writer. At the critical age of 30 I decided I needed to pursue a medium that was more suited to my creative expression.

“It’s preferable to do the work, than to waste precious time selling it”. My thoughts, but as a consequence it has made me rather complacent, and somewhat illusive.

My first project ‘Spectators’ was shortlisted at the Photographers Gallery London exhibited at Oldham Art Gallery, Cornerhouse Manchester, and the Turnpike Gallery.
Its now in print and available at Cafe Royal Books.
My second body of work ‘From Kev to Bev’ featured on Granada‘s arts programme ‘Celebration’ and in 1986 was turned in...

I was educated at Cromwell Road Secondary School.
In 1963 I acquired two positions in Manchester Advertising Agencies armed with only my portfolio, and without the assistance of Art School. I was always one to watch .
I began making photographs in 1983, I’d been working as an Art Director in Advertising for over ten years. Later, as an essential part of my education I began to appreciate the work of Diane Arbus, Gene Smith, Alex Webb, and William Eggleston from a photographic perspective,
and the work of Paul Nash and more recently Jeff Koons from a pure fine art viewpoint.

EXHIBITIONS / COMMISIONS
‘Spectators’ Short listed at The Photographers Gallery London Cornerhouse Manchester, Oldham Art Gallery, Turnpike Gallery 1984

‘From Kev to Bev’
Was offered space at the Photographers Gallery London
Commission from Wigan Metro 1985
‘Long time no see’ Commission / Exhibition
Turnpike Gallery, Leigh 1998

‘No man’s land’ Commission / Exhibition
Lowry, Salford & Static, Liverpool 2002

‘God is what I make of him’ Commission / Exhibition
Touchstones, Rochdale 2004

‘Sunshine in a sunless land’ / Land / ‘Land 2’
Turnpike Gallery, Leigh 2004 in conjunction with the
Whitworth Art Gallery, Manchester

Listening to photographs ‘Cagefights’
‘Birds don’t sing in the dark’ / Curation & Exhibition
‘Between today and yesterday’
Turnpike Gallery, Leigh 2007

Just confirmed a show at the NEW Turnpike Leigh with 'Under the shadow of Mad Richard's folly'