VIV WALKER
Designer, Illustrator, Fine Artist & Art Tutor |
'CAT-IN-A-BOX' chorus box design for Masterton community scheme.
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I was born in Whanganui, New Zealand, moving to England at an early age where I started school in London and completed my tertiary qualifications in both London and Norwich, Norfolk, UK.
I returned to New Zealand and worked in the design industry in Wellington, and then relocated to the Wairarapa with family.
Along with design, I have exhibited as a fine artist, illustrate and publish my own books, and have completed papers in a Diploma of Children's Literature through the Christchurch College of Education.
I have had the privilege of having several children's picture books and a non-fiction books published through trade publishers and self-published. My combined experience in both publishing and design, has enabled me to offer publishing services to assist others with their self-publishing projects, through my imprint SWIRLD BOOKS (tap on SWIRLD BOOKS to check out my publishing website).
Please view my art portfolio, books and art classes and *workshops. (* run when enough interest is gathered).
Family group show (3 generations).
Carol (mother-in-law) Caitlin (daughter),
Evelyn (sister-in-law) and myself - 2005
ART TIMELINE. . .
(tap on links to see images)
Mural collaboration for the Lansdowne beautification project. in First Street, Masterton - 2018. First prize Resenes Professional mural category.
2019 - 2021
Attended the biannual 3 day Hui of New Zealand children's writers and illustrators, in Auckland July 2022.
Selected for the Wairarapa Review at ARATOI Masterton - December 2021 to February 2022.
Exhibited at CONART galleries and studios in Masterton, show titled Alternative Narrative from November to December 2021
Launched new picture book THE ROAD TO THE FUTURE July 2021
Ran a mixed media workshop with a wellbeing focus.
Organised an 'Inktober' initiative for Wai Art members at No. 23 Gallery, with a November exhibition.
Launched new picture book OLD RUSSIAN JACK 20th March.
Member of the new community gallery No.23, Holloway street, Carterton - panel of works currently on show.
2016 - 18
Chorus boxes community art project Masterton - 'CAT-IN-A-BOX' and 'JEWEL IN THE CROWN' - selected for the CHORUS BOX CALENDAR 2017
Paintings@Pukaha 3rd annual show - Curator and exhibitor
Launched a community initiative - THE WRITE/ART EXCHANGE - sketchbook
Selected for the Wairarapa Review exhibition at ARATOI, Masterton.
Attended the biannual 3 day Hui of New Zealand children's writers and illustrators, in Remuera, Auckland.
Reprinted 'Over the Hill' to Greytown picture book.
Became a member of CONART community art collective.
Paintings@Pukaha 4th annual show - Curator and exhibitor
HENLEY LAKE FROM WASTELAND TO WETLAND - A Community Anthology, a first SWIRLD BOOKS publication, Launched: 15 February, Masterton.
Project managed and produced, through Swirld Books, a book short stories called 'OVER THE FENCE'.
Set up my new publishing services under my publishing name SWIRLD BOOKS.
Collaborated on a community mural with 2 other artists for Masterton's First Street heritage revamp project. Entered mural into the Resene's professional mural competition and won First prize.
Studio exhibition at CONART community art collective.
Also exhibited in the main gallery at their monthly shows.
Paintings@Pukaha 5th annual show - Curator and exhibitor and extension show at ARATOI Museum of Art and History, Masterton.
Reprinted 'Over the Hill to Greytown' picture book.
Reprinted 'Beam of Bright Light - story of the castle point Lighthouse' picture book.
2013 - 15
Attended the biannual 3 day Hui of New Zealand children's writers and illustrators, in Christchurch.
Launched new picture book OVER THE HILL TO GREYTOWN in Greytown and Wellington Wai Art Press.
Rotary Art Show exhibition - Paraparaumu
Big Wai Art Sale (BWAS) exhibition - Carterton, Wairarapa
Launched new picture book A BEAM OF BRIGHT LIGHT celebrating the 100 year anniversary of the Castlepoint lighthouse Wai Art Press.
Rotary Art Show exhibition - Paraparaumu, received FIRST PRIZE in the townscape section - for 'ICONE' mixed media.
Big Wai Art Sale (BWAS) exhibition - Carterton, Wairarapa
Paintings at Pukaha (inaugural show) - Curator and exhibitor
'Art in the Nave' exhibition group show - Greytown
Exhibited at the Coca Cola Easter Show - Auckland - received a merit award.
Wairarapa Review exhibition Aratoi (bienniel) - selected
Attended the biannual 3 day Hui of New Zealand children's writers and illustrators, in Wellington.
My 'Lolly Landscape' chosen to appear in the national CHORUS BOX ART CALENDAR 2016
Rotary Art Show exhibition - Paraparaumu
BIG WAI ART SALE - September 11-13th, daffodil weekend - Carterton events centre, Wairarapa
Paintings at Pukaha - 2nd Annual fundraiser show. Curator and exhibitor - National Bird Centre Mount Bruce, Masterton.
CHORUS BOX PAINTING - 'Lolly Landscape' - community art project through Connecting Communities Masterton.
Exhibited at the Royal Coca Cola Easter Show - Auckland
2008-12
Launched new picture book THE EELS OF ANZAC BRIDGE at Mount Bruce Bird Reserve, Fraser Books, Masterton.
Launched my first picture book ELWYNS DREAM - SAVING THE TAKAHE at Mount Bruce Bird Reserve Random House NZ.
Exhibited at the Academy of Fine Arts Wellington.
Also at Wai Art exhibitions. Art tutor Wai Art Summer school.
Big Wai Art Sale (BWAS) exhibition - Carterton, Wairarapa
Designed an oral history book called Living in Kaipororo by Kay Flavell - New Pacific Studio, Mount Bruce, Masterton.
2004-8
Began 'painting' - in watercolours and acrylics. First Painting exhibition in Greytown, Wairarapa.
Exhibited and sold artworks at local and national shows - selected for Wairarapa review shows,
Academy of Fine art and the NZ Art Show.
Exhibited in the local Wai Art Awards.
Family Group Show (3 generations)
Taught art classes and workshops and design work projects.
1994-2003
Moved to the Wairarapa, worked as a publisher and designer for Ministry of Education at the Wairarapa Education Resource centre in Masterton. Freelanced and raising young family. Completed some papers in the National Diploma in Children's Literature - through Christchurch College of Education.
1984-94
Graduated and moved back to Taupo, NZ. Worked for a local paper and as an art assistant at Tuatara College (years 11-13). Commission work from Learning media for school journals.
Freelanced and taught art education classes sponsored by Wellington City Council arts programme.
Designer for Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries (MAF) and other agencies.
Designer and Art Director for Agenda Communications.
1981-4
Completed a degree in Graphic Design BA (Hons) at Norwich School of Art (Now called NUA), Norfolk UK.
1978
Moved to UK with family, completed one year Foundation Art at Croydon College of Design (passed with Merit).
1961
Born in Whanganui, started school in Hampton Hill, London, UK. 1964 - 1967
Secondary school - Horowhenua College, Levin, New Zealand. 1974-77.
