Gilbert Walker Jr's Page

Born in 1959, Walker is the oldest of 5 children. Walker grew up without his father so being the oldest in the 60's he was looked at as the man of the house. Growing up as a latch key child Walker was responsible for his siblings until their mother returned from work. One of his duties was to keep control and to remain silent in the house, childhood was short lived. For years as latch key kids they all discovered and developed thier artistic talents.

Walker developed his talents in several mediums but settled with one after becoming an adult. He found that being an artist blacksmith would satisfy his love for African American history and his love as an artist. Two well known artist in America would be Walkers inspiration, Phillip Simmons of Charleston, SC. and John Boyd Smith of Savannah, Ga.

History tells us that Africans were imported to the Amercias begining in 1619 as slaves. Some of these African slaves were trained as blacksmiths and they became an important part of the economics and growth of America. Blacksmiths on the Plantations were sometimes hired out by their masters to do work for other farms in the area. Some of these slaves were allowed to keep part of their earnings and pay for their freedom. As an artist blacksmith Walker is able to tell his story and theirs in art thru Custom designed ironwork with stone specalizing in functional gates, funiture, sculptures and wall accessories. Blacksmithing is a dying art but it was once a way of life for hundreds of slaves and freemen.