Ceramicist
Imogene Walkine (born 1971, Nassau, Bahamas) draws inspiration for her bold
creations from nature, describing her work as “extractions from nature” imbued
with the energy of Bahamian culture.
Usually her
work reflects Junkanoo themes, particularly her masks, which seek to pay homage
to the vibrant colours, dazzling textures and “mind-boggling” patterns found in
the natural Bahamian environment. Through her creations, she has raised a
functional platter to a new level, transforming the pieces into sculptural
forms. More recently, her work has expanded to take on a more abstract and
organic world as she seeks to “represent the life force and continual evolution
which is within all of God’s creations.”
Walkine received
a Bachelor’s of Art in Art and Art History with Honors from Goldsmith's
College, University of London. She
returned to Nassau in 1998 and took a teaching position at C.V. Bethel Senior
High School. Walkine found that her
students and their observations acted as a catalyst for her own artwork. At the time she was a painter but started to
follow a growing preference to work with ceramics.
In 2000,
she enrolled in private ceramics classes with noted ceramicist Sue
Bennett-Williams, who taught at the College of the Bahamas at the time, and
fell in love with clay.
Walkine has
participated in numerous exhibitions over the years, including solo shows at
the Pro Gallery, College of The Bahamas, The Ladder Gallery and the Cube West
Gallery, and numerous group exhibitions. She has also had some of her prominent works
featured in group exhibitions at the National Art Gallery of Bahamas, including
the all female artist show SINGLESEX in 2013.