David S. Walker
Contemporary Painter and Potter
(B. 08.07.1963) – Nakusp, British Columbia, Canada
Based in Revelstoke, British Columbia
David S. Walker is a contemporary Canadian artist known for his evocative oil paintings and sculptural Raku pottery. Walker’s work explores the intimate relationships between land, light, and cultural identity. Working primarily with oil on stretched canvas and hand-built gas-fired Raku ceramics, Walker creates deeply layered compositions that reflect both the physical beauty and spiritual resonance of the natural world. With a distinctive focus on lighting and texture, Walker’s paintings often depict landscapes and objects from nature, rendered through a technique that emphasizes layered brushwork and close atmospheric attention. His sculptural pottery, hand-built and Raku-fired, further extends his dialogue with the environment—featuring natural motifs and forms that are grounded in both material tactility and symbolic meaning.
A recurring theme throughout Walker’s work is the exploration of his Indigenous heritage, notably in projects like the "Ages in Chaos" series (1996–1997). Fragments of Indigenous graphics are integrated to express the emotional, physical, and spiritual evolution of First Nations peoples within a capitalist contemporary society. Walker’s work resonates with themes of cultural memory, place-based identity, and environmental reflection.
Walker has exhibited extensively across British Columbia, including shows at the Revelstoke Visual Arts Centre (Revelstoke), the Kootenay Gallery of Art (Castlegar), the Grand Forks Art Gallery, and the Langham Cultural Centre (Kaslo). He has participated in numerous juried exhibitions such as Unsettle the Settler: Dismantling Systemic Oppression with the KAMA? Creative Aboriginal Arts Collective (Vernon), the West Kootenay-Boundary Juried Art Show, and the Okanagan First Nations Artists Juried Group Exhibition. Walker’s work is held in private collections across Canada and internationally, including Calgary, Ucluelet, Revelstoke, and New Hampshire (USA).
Selected Solo Exhibitions
2025 Mixed Media, Revelstoke Visual Arts Centre, Revelstoke BC
2003 ‘Riverside Impressions’, Revelstoke Visual Arts Centre, Revelstoke BC
1997 Mixed Media, Langham Cultural Centre, Kaslo BC
1996 ‘Ages in Chaos’, Mixed Media, Revelstoke Art Gallery, Revelstoke BC
Selected Group Exhibitions
2022 ‘Unsettle the Settler: Dismantling Systemic Oppression’, KAMA? Creative Aboriginal Arts Collective, Curated by Lubos Culen. Vernon Public Art Gallery, Vernon BC
2014 ‘Art in the Garden’ – Pottery. Vernon, BC
2013 ‘Art in the Garden’ – Pottery. Vernon, BC
2011 ‘Emerging from the Fire’ - Raku Pottery Exhibition, Revelstoke Visual Arts Center, Revelstoke BC
2009 ‘Earth and Fire’ - Works from the Revelstoke Potter’s Guild, Revelstoke Visual Arts Center, Revelstoke BC
2008 ‘Mountains’ - Multi Media, Revelstoke Visual Arts Centre, Revelstoke BC
2008 ‘Members Exhibition’ – Multi Media, Revelstoke Visual Arts Centre, Revelstoke BC
2008 ‘The Human Form” - Multi Media Juried Show, Revelstoke Visual Arts Center, Revelstoke BC
2007 ‘Mountains’ – Multi Media Members Show, Revelstoke Visual Arts Center, Revelstoke BC
2007 Multi Media Members Show, Revelstoke Visual Arts Center, Revelstoke BC
2006 ‘Revelstoke Potters’ Guild Annual Exhibition’ - Revelstoke Visual Arts Center, Revelstoke BC
2005 ‘West Kootenay-Boundary Juried Art Show’ – Awarded Best of Show, Exhibition toured the Columbia Basin Region
1999 ‘Okanagan First Nations Artists, Juried Group Exhibition’, Vernon Public Art Gallery, Vernon, BC
Related Education
2010 ‘ Lino-cut print making workshop’ – Akira Ellen Hansen, Revelstoke Visual Arts Centre, Revelstoke, BC
2006 ‘Clay mask making workshop’ – Bob Kingsmill, Revelstoke Visual Arts Centre. Revelstoke, BC
1983 ‘Diploma Architectural Technologies’ - Southern Alberta Institute of Technology, Calgary Alberta
Community Projects
2011 – ‘Raku Pottery’: funded by a grant from the Columbia Kootenay Cultural Alliance and completed with fellow artist Cat Mather, this project introduced the art of Raku Pottery for the Revelstoke Visual Arts Centre and artist community through the construction of an outdoor gas kiln, purchase of Raku equipment and facilitation of a Raku workshop for the general public and Pottery Guild Members. The project culminated in a group show of finished Raku pieces in the gallery of the Revelstoke Visual Arts Center.
2001 – The Revelstoke Public Art Project: funded by a grant from the Columbia Kootenay Cultural Alliance and completed with fellow artist Toni Johnston, this project included a feasibility study for public art in Revelstoke., as well as the coordination and execution of several public art projects in the community (see below). The project resulted in the launch of the City of Revelstoke Public Art Committee, which continues to the present day, resulting in numerous public art installations throughout the City. Collaborations include:
· 2006 ‘Information Panels’ – Installed around the perimeter of the Greenbelt walking path, (designed laser-cut metal images), Revelstoke, BC
· 2005 ‘School Children’s Tile Mural’ - Installed at the Revelstoke Aquatic Center, Revelstoke, BC
· 2003 ‘Workers Memorial” - Installed at Centennial Park. Revelstoke, BC
· 2001 ‘Fabric wall hanging’ - Installation at Revelstoke City Hall, by Artist Akira Ellen Hansen. Revelstoke, BC
Volunteer work
2006 – 2016 Worked with Curator producing marketing emails, invitations and posters for upcoming exhibitions at the Revelstoke Visual Arts Center, Revelstoke, BC
Publications
2002 - Donated image “Back yard in winter” oil on canvas, December 14 1997 to be the cover painting for CD “christmas dream” This CD was created to support local food backs by raising funds and awareness for these valuable community programs. Featuring Valdy, Gary Fjellgaard, Natham Tinkham and Saskia Monroe.