William Walker

Background

William Walker was born in Birmingham, Alabama in 1927. Although born in the South, he grew up in Chicago.

Career

He was one of the founders of the Organization for Black American Culture (OBAC) and one of the leaders in the project involving the Wall of Respect. He was also one of the critical founders of the mural movements in Chicago during the 1960s. After graduating, he went to Memphis where he painted his first murals.

A year later in 1955, Walker returned to Chicago and worked as a decorative painter and a postal worker

In 1967, he participated in a project related to the Organization for Black American Culture. This project was a community mural that would honor African American heroes and was named "The Wall of Respect".

The Wall of Respect started a nationwide movement of "people"s art". From there, Walker cofounded the Chicago Mural Group (now known as the Chicago Public Art Group) with John Pitman Weber and Eugene Eda, while continuing to paint murals in Chicago.

Walker painted murals to make the community more aware of the racial strife going on in America at that time and to spur individuals to get more involved in solving racial problems.

William Walker was found dead of natural causes in his apartment in Chicago on September 12, 2011. "Images of Conscience: The Art of Bill Walker", Chicago State University, 1984 1986: City Brightener Award, Bright New City.

Achievements

• 1986: City Brightener Award, Bright New City 1998: Hall of Honor, Illinois Labor History Society.