BART WALTER – Sculptor
Maryland sculptor Bart Walter began working in clay in the 1980s. After three decades, his work
now resides in notable public and private collections worldwide: from Ugandan Wildlife
Authority Headquarters in Kampala, to the collection of King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia, to the
National Zoo in Washington D.C. His recent accomplishments include the acquisition of a lifesize
sculpture group entitled The Troupe by The Hunter Museum of American Art in
Chattanooga, Tennessee; two solo exhibitions held at The Sharp Museum and The National
Museum of Wildlife Art; and induction as a Fellow into the Explorer’s Club in New York for his
outstanding work documenting wildlife from around the world through his sculptures and
drawings. Known primarily for his unique and dynamic approach to surface, Mr. Walter has
designed the Chairman’s Award for The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, several
conservation Awards for Dr. Jane Goodall and is a Fellow and two-time Silver Medalist with the
National Sculpture Society. Bart has multiple large public installations across America, and his
work has been on display in seven solo exhibitions at art museums throughout the United States
and abroad.
Combining a biologist’s eye and a sculptor’s understanding of his medium, Bart continues the
tradition of 19th century Animaliers with life-like depictions of the animals he has observed.
However, whenever possible, Bart prefers to sculpt en plein air, working with his subjects
directly in front of him. In order to create a maquette (a small working model) of what he intends
to sculpt, Mr. Walter brings wire, plywood, aluminum foil, and wax into the field. It can take
several days to finish a single maquette, as animals can either be difficult to locate or residing in
a low-visibility area. Mr. Walter has worked extensively using this method in Kenya, Rwanda,
Botswana, and Uganda, as well as in Manitoba, Canada, Montana, and Wyoming.
Bart Walter’s extensive body of work is derived from a personal commitment to the integrity of
each subject, whether human or animal and using maquettes along with charcoal sketches as
reference allows this artist to infuse vitality and spontaneity into each creation. Bart Walter’s
hands-on approach to the casting process results in sculptures that are faithful to the original
work in clay or wax with no element lost.
With this holistic view toward the inspiration, creation, and casting of his work, Bart Walter has
won the respect and admiration of fine art curators, collectors and the general public worldwide.
For additional information visit: www.bartwalter.com.