NIARUS WALKER
Artist
"My paintings reflect the transience of life with references to conciousness which encompasses time, memory, experience and identity" -Niarus
Artist Statement
My work takes on various manifestations from still-life and figurative paintings and drawings to sculpture which are physical symbols of things that are ethereal such as memories and experiences. Every image is metaphoric and represents the mystery of experience and memories. Memories and experiences are tied to consciousness and identity. Objects that people collect become like reliquary and hold memories on which identity is built.
I enjoy the juxtaposition of unrelated and perhaps obscure objects to create new narratives or a retelling of old narratives form a new perspective. I hope to relate to those deep subconscious thoughts and make the invisible visible.
I work in mixed media, water color, oils, acrylic and drawing media because I find that certain mediums are better suited to a particular story and the spirit of the idea chooses that medium.
Bio
Niarus Walker is a visual artist, art educator and curator and was born in the Dominica, W.I, the land of 365 rivers and amazing outdoor experiences. She received a BFA form Moore College of Art and Design, Philadephia and an MS in Art Education from Florida State University.
Niarus has been a practicing artist for 25 years and had exhibited locally, nationally and Internationally including the United States and Demark. Her works are primarily in private collections. She has curated a number of exhibitions and has had solo and group exhibition over the 25 years.
Niarus was the house curator for the Caribbean Museum Center for the Arts on St. Croix and is affiliated with Top Hat Gallery on St. Croix and Bajo Del Sol in St. John, USVI
Niarus is currently working on a project called TAKE5-V.I. a platfomr for enhancement and promotion of artists who live and work in the Virgin Islands of the United States.
Niarus currently lives and works on St. Croix, USVI, the island of beautiful sandy white beaches and great outdoor adventures.
BIO and CV
CV
EDUCATION
2004-2006
Florida State University, Ms in Art Education
1995-2004
University of the Virgin Islands, Continuing Ed. in Education and Psychology
2003
University of Phoenix Online, Continuing Education in Psychology
1989-1994
Moore College of Art and Design, BFA Fashion Design and Construction /Painting
WORK EXPERIENCE
2015-2018
University of the Virgin Islands, Albert A. Sheen Campus
2014-2017
Caribbean Museum Center for the Arts
Exhibition designer/Curator
Board Member and Volunteer
2006-Present
VI Department of Education, Art Dept. Chairperson
SOLO EXHIBITIONS (St. Croix, USVI)
2017 In Contemplation of the collective Consciousness Peach Can Gallery
2014 Built to Last… Walsh Metal Works Gallery
2008 Untitled Danica Art Gallery
2003 The Rock in My Head Walsh Metal Works Gallery
2002 Untitled The GoldWorker
1998 Niarus Fort Frederik Gallery
GROUP EXHIBITIONS
2018 Animism and The Colonial Imagination St. Croix, USVI
2018 Rebirth of the Spirit St. Croix, USVI
2017 Invisible Heritage:Transfer 2017 Curated by Monica Marin St. Croix, USVI
2015 Woman to Woman Curated by Janet Cook-Rutnik St. Croix, USVI
2015 Anatomy of An Heirloom Top Hat Gallery St. Croix, USVI
2014 Blurred Lines CMCArts St. Croix, USVI
2013 Guardians of Culture CMCArts St. Croix, USVI
2012 Canegata Art Show Canegata Community Ctr St. Croix, USVI
2007 Art Educators’ Exhibit CMCArts St. Croix, USVI
2005 17th Annual Exhibition Gadsen Art Center, Qunicy, FL
2005 Art Center Exhibit FSU Union Center Tallahassee, FL
2005 Art Educators’ Exhibit, FSU Union Center, Tallahassee, FL
2005 City Hall Exhibit City Hall Tallahassee, FL
1994, 1999-2004
Caribbean Fine Arts Exhibit Good Hope School St. Croix, USVI
1998 Intercambio Artistico CDS Gallery St. Croix, USVI
1998 Country Day Exhibit CDS Gall ery St. Croix, USVI
1996 Figuratively Speaking Penthany Co-op St. Croix, USVI
CURATED EXHIBITIONS - St. Croix, USVI
2019
Virgin Islands Puerto Rico Friendship (VIPR)- Mascaras Y Ritmos
Fabric of Caribbean Consciousness (Top Hat Gallery)
2018
VIPR-En la Casa de mi amigo (Collection from the Wilfred Labiosa Gallery)
2014
Stuart Rames: The Color and Texture of Culture (CMCArts)
Blurred Lines (CMCArts)
The Harrowing of Hell (CMCArts)
Built to Last (Walsh Metal Works Gallery)
2015
The Collector’s Edition (CMCArts)
PUBLICATIONS AND AWARDS
2015 Moko Caribbean Arts and Letters
2012 My Grandma Loves to play by Oyoko Loving
(Book Illustration)
2012 St. Croix this Week (April and May Covers)
2005 Gadsden Arts Center 2nd place Juried Award
2005 Mary Lou and Ernestine Kuhn Scholarship
2004 Morris F. de Castro Fellowship
2004 Alpha Delta Kappa Visual Arts Award
2003 Robert Rauschenburg Power of Art Workshop
2000, 01, 03, 04, 05 Island Art and Soul Calendar
1999 1999 Ed. The Caribbean Writer
1992 Sara Peter Travel scholarship to Indonesia
GALLERY AFFILIATONS
Top Hat Gallery, St. Croix
Bajo El Sol, St. John