Mark Walker
Mark M. Walker (1892-1989), was Mendocino County carpenter and folk artist. Walker was known for a wide variety of work including utilitarian pieces such as benches, rakes, and barns, to more decorative folk art pieces such as fiddles, murals, and sculptures. Over his 97 year lifetime, Walker was fascinated with the process of creation. He learned methods of early settlers who developed creative solutions using resources that were at hand. His artistic expressions were dually inspired by the social and community experiences in the North Coast, as well as the rich resources that are available within the region. For Walker, functionality and aesthetics were intertwined in his work, and it was his life’s mission to share traditional methods, history and heritage of the early County residents with the next generation.
This whimsical figurine of a spoonbill by Mark Walker was made by repurposing everyday items. The main body of the figurine is composed of a gourd, while the wings, feet and tail are made from bedspread pieces. Below is a transcription of Walker's own adage that accompanies the piece.
(From a gourd seed to a Spoonbill)
When spoons were made from gourds, by hand. This early day adage used forcefully by man, It meant to try, try, try: to try again without reward. This old adage said: make a spoon or spoil a gourd.
This modern adage has reward. This modern adage says: make a Spoonbill and save the gourd. Just look and see the Spoonbill that was made from a gourd.
by Mark Walker
This presentation was created by the Mendocino County Museum. View more Collection Spotlights and learn more about our institution by visiting www.mendocinocounty.org/museum.