Scottish artist Walter Awlson was born in Galashiels in 1949. He studied at Edinburgh College of Art from 1967 to 1971, where he graduated with a degree in Furniture Design. He completed a teaching postgraduate at Moray House. This led to a teaching career in secondary schools and further education establishments. This is where he taught, developed and assessed courses in Art and Design. In 1991 Walter resigned from teaching to focus on figurative painting and sculpture, and in particular slip cast figurative sculpture. The figures, varying from a few inches in height to life size, were glazed using raku fired glazes or stoneware bronze-like glazes.
For twenty years, Walter exhibited extensively in galleries throughout the UK. His artworks can be found in many private and public collections. During this time he was also the recipient of numerous awards. Firstly, in 1990 Walter won the SPA Alastair Dunn Award. Following this, in 1991 he was elected a Professional Member of the Scottish Artists and Artist Craftsmen Association. Come 2007, Walter was awarded the Clackmannanshire Arts Forum award for Outstanding
Contribution to the Arts.
Throughout the years, Walter has also completed several major commissions. These include a ceramic mural for the Alloa Town Centre and a centrepiece for a historical exhibition at Abbott’s House, Dunfermline. In 2009 he was commissioned to create a RAF monument at Boddam. In 2016 he completed a bust of Tommy Douglas for the Falkirk Wheel Visitor Centre.
The last ten years has seen Walter’s focus shift towards theatre set design and construction. He has worked extensively with the Alman Dramatic Club in Alloa. The fruits of which can be enjoyed in this exhibition.
