Announcement of the Yacht Race

Peter Walker’s Announcement of the Yacht Race is a vivid, expressionist composition filled with character, movement, and intrigue. The scene is set by the sea under a moody sky, where a group of figures some holding model yachts, others deep in thought or conversation gather in anticipation of an event. Each figure feels part of a larger story, yet distinct in mood and gesture. The bright, contrasting colours of blues, purples, and ochres bring an emotional energy to the scene, while Walker’s gestural brushwork and imaginative stylisation give the piece a dreamlike quality.

Though rooted in figuration, the painting moves beyond realism into the realm of imagination and symbolism. The central figure, dressed in yellow and holding a blue yacht, draws the viewer’s eye, his calm gaze countered by the surrounding flurry of activity. The presence of a dinosaur in the background adds a surreal touch perhaps a reminder of nature’s quiet power in contrast to human performance and ceremony. Announcement of the Yacht Race captures Peter Walker’s lyrical, expressive approach to storytelling through gesture, colour, and emotion.

The canvas is an original piece and comes with d rings and wire ready to hang. The piece is UNFRAMED. Sides are painted in a crisp white to set off the artwork. The work is created in oil paint. All work has been sealed and varnished for protection

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Hello from Phillip Island, Australia, where I live amidst abundant wildlife, wild seas and picturesque bays. We have a world renowned surfing culture, great wineries, motor sports and a relaxed lifestyle for locals and visitors alike. Our first nations people call the island Millowl.

​Born in Melbourne, Victoria, Peter Walker is a Phillip Island-based artist whose work explores the expressive potential of the human form. Since 2007, he has been developing his distinctive approach to Neo-Portraiture Expressionism, focusing on portraiture and figurative art that captures the emotional and psychological essence of his subjects rather than their likeness.

Working primarily from imagination, Peter finds inspiration in the ongoing study of the human figure. His gestural, lyrical, and expressionist style is expressed through both paintings on canvas and drawings on Arches paper. He embraces what he calls “considered mistakes,” pushing ideas, lines, and forms until he finds the visual thread that brings each work to life. This process keeps his art original, dynamic, and deeply personal — a reflection of both the subject and the artist’s intuitive journey.

My painting, drawing and printmaking has enabled me to exhibit locally, regionally, interstate and I've had 4 exhibitions in New York. I call the work I do Neo-portraiture expressionism. My style has developed through studying the human body, and what I call 'considered mistakes' taking the work in a fresh direction when needed.