Andrew
Walton

I have tried various forms for this and end up with a chatty ramble. I hope it is informative.

I was born in Oxford in 1947 and still live in the city. I am from a family of artists. ( see family links ). This was a very significant influence on me and gave me a confidence to follow that path early on. Studies in Oxford and Cardiff art schools were followed by a few years in London : eventually returning to Oxford to teach part time, start a family and develop as a painter. From this base has grown a belief in the strength of work reflecting the inner life and the intimate side of experience. Oxford is a great place to find sustainance as a painter. The hubberjubber of medieval buildings, museums, local rubbish dumps, allotments & industrial waste ground continuing sources for new work.

I have collected African carvings since my teens. In my mid forties the opportunity cropped up to visit India. Two months of culture shock that changed my life. I have been back since and plan other jouneys. Living and ancient cultures fascinate me. The rich heritage which layer upon layer of spiritual belief and social change which are to be found in the earths older cultures is a precious gift to be understood or just enjoyed. I am a maker of images, by immersing myself in places I hope the images that arise reflect some of the magic..

So I live in a house increasingly filled with books, old family furniture, African sculpture and Indian paintings. Its turning into a junk shop, a cabinete of curiosities. Owls skulls from Witney, kite feathers from Rajesthan, wooden combs from Oxfam shops, China shards from St Ives harbour; all this clutters shelves and corners and creeps into my working methods by its insistant disorder. I called this place Elephant House some time back. An acknowledgement of India, Buddhism and Ganesha. A tin elephant over the front door acts as a reminder.

I hope this conveys some helpful sign posts.