WALKER, Ian David

*Born 17th December 1937

*Died 22 June 2021 Aged 83

GENERAL INFORMATION

IAN WALKER: ARTIST EXTRAORDINAIRE

Having completed his education at Jamestown Primary School and Kings

College (now Pembroke), Ian Walker had his heart set on being an artist.

"I was hoping to enter Art School, but there were too many applicants, so I

missed out," said Ian. "Sign writing seemed to be a good fall-back position

so from 1970 that is what I have done".




When lan was in Grade 4 at Jamestown, he remembers his teacher showing

the class a fine drawing done by one of the Grade 5 students. Ian brazenly

declared that he could do better and art became his passion from then on.

lan did a five year apprenticeship as a painter and decorator before starting

his own business in that trade, as well as rebuilding and painting houses.

Since moving to Mt Compass, business has been good. lan has done work in

McLaren Vale, Normanville, Victor Harbor, Goolwa, Strathalbyn and further

afield. Within the town, lan's work can be seen at Thrifty Link, Hair

Compass, Ray Stieg's Bitumen and Bobcat Contractors, Miller's

Landscaping, the Tourist Trail, and Mr Jagged Winery




lan left his mark in Jamestown He was responsible for the 38 foot high

"Welcome to Jamestown" sign and a 40 foot mural. His work in pinstriping

can be seen on the photograph of the steam and traction engine.

lan's daughter, Helen is married to Mark Tyler, the head of Raw Milk

Australia. He has three grandchildren Rachel who teaches Junior Primary,

Gabby, an artist, who won a soccer scholarship in the USA and Guy, who

recently won the British Junior Rally championships.




lan lived in McLaren Vale for 14 years and was its first sign writer. He came

to Mt Compass in 2000 and intends to stay. Good news indeed for our town.

Bill Jerram

Picture: lan applying a vinyl print to a trailer