Prahran 17 1981

Editor: Here we have John Walker’s etching, "Prahran 17." It's small, about 12 x 12 cm, and the contrast between the dark, almost violent marks at the top and the delicate lines below is really striking. What do you see in this piece? Curator: I see a collision of worlds, don't you? The chaotic energy above, almost a storm of emotion, pressing down on a fragile, almost childlike rendering of a figure. It makes me wonder about inner turmoil and external pressures. Editor: That's interesting! The figure almost looks like it's made of words. Curator: Indeed! It's as if the figure is defined by language, or perhaps trapped within it. A question of identity, maybe? What do you make of that? Editor: I hadn't thought of that, but it adds another layer of complexity. It makes me want to look at more of Walker's work to understand his thought process. Curator: Exactly! It’s a little window into a much larger world, isn't it?