Medium/Discipline: Painting, Sculpture, Works on Paper
Birthplace: Baltimore, Maryland
Maryland Affiliation: Born here, Active while in residence
Gender: Male
Race/Ethnicity: White
Biography: In the 1960s, Glenn Walker was written to have "emerged as one of Maryland's most popular artists and continues to grow in importance." (Phoenix Galleries, n.p.) The media in which Walker worked included watercolor, acrylics, oils, pen and ink and ink resist, as well as in sculpture and printmaking. Walker attended the Ottmar Mergenthaler School of Printing; Baltimore resident Ottmar Mergenthaler in 1899 invented the Linotype that was used by major newspapers such as the Baltimore Sun well into the 1970s. After serving briefly in the U.S. Navy, Walker settled in Baltimore and began his professional art career.
A painting by Walker of two nudes, a woman and a man, lying on a bed, sparked intrigue in local politics in 1955. The watercolor by Glenn Walker entitled In a Room was a part of the October 1955 annual Baltimore painting show, "Life in Baltimore," at the Peale Museum (which is no longer in operation). While Walker's watercolor received praise and awards from two jurors, the content led "a number" of viewers to complain to Baltimore Mayor Thomas D'Alesandro that it was "morally objectionable" and "obscene." (Kenneth B. Sawyer, "Case Against Mayor's Censorship," Art Notes, Baltimore Sun, December 4, 1955, p. 20A) The Mayor ordered its removal since the Peale Museum and grounds were owned and maintained by the city government. In a Room was one of 112 paintings by 79 artists chosen for the exhibition, and the only non-oil painting to be given an award.
Education/Training: Ottmar Mergenthaler School of Printing; Maryland Institute College of Art
Selected References: Harvey, Lucy. "A Museum's Can-Do Attitude" Washingtonpost.com, Friday, March 18, 2005; Page WE43.
Phoenix Galleries. Six Maryland Artists Revisited, Baltimore: The Galleries, 1966.
Sawyer, Kenneth B. "Case Against Mayor's Censorship," Art Notes, Baltimore Sun, December 4, 1955, p. 20A.
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