A current exhibition, Childhood Wonder, features the wood-workings of Marion, Alabama-based student artist Rachel Walker. The exhibition includes hand-crafted wooden toys that can be played by children of all ages.
On view at the Marian Acree Tucker Gallery at Judson College in Marion, the show opened April 21 and will continue through April 25, 2014. There will be an artist’s reception on Wednesday, April 23, from 3:00 pm – 5:00 pm in the gallery, and the artist will give a brief lecture on her work in Tucker Recital Hall from 5:00 pm until 5:30 pm on the same day.
Walker creates childhood games that can be played by adults to relive their childhood but can also be played by children. She seeks to create pieces that are playful and functional, simple and unique. Pieces includes “Chunk-n-Cluck”, a small skee ball machine; “Pig Pen Palooza”, a pinball machine; “Cow Tippin’ Teeter Totter”, a teeter totter; and “Chicken Coop Holdup”, ping-pong ball guns. “This body is meant to bring joy to adults,” Walker says. “Many adults believe growing up means leaving playtime behind for a more serious lifestyle. I wanted to create piece that would allow adults to rediscover the joys of simple childhood play. Becoming a grownup does not mean one can no longer have time for play. Adults, as well as children, need time for fun that comes from a simplistic, wondrous place.”
Rachel Walker will graduate from Judson College with a B.A. in Art in 2014. She received her high school diploma from Demopolis High School in Demopolis, Alabama.
Works in the exhibition are for sale. For more information about the work, contact the artist via email (rwalker@judson.edu) or phone 334.654.2502, or contact Jamie Adams at 334.683.5251.