Walter Bambrook was born in Albuquerque, New Mexico, on February 11,
1910. He remained a true native of Albuquerque until his death on
June 1, 1984. He attended art school at the University of New
Mexico and then studied for four years under noted New Mexico artist
Carl von Hassler. Later in his life, he became an art instructor,
teaching at UNM, Height's Community Club, and the Women's Club of
Albuquerque.
Throughout his career, Bambrook's focus was on
capturing the landscape of his home state. He was an adventurous
outdoorsman in his younger years and his far-ranging trips provided
varied, myriad scenes for him to paint. His later years would
find him on simple painting trips, either to sketch for future
reference or to paint on-site.
Recognition for his work came at
a young age. He received his first award at the age of only
thirteen from a national art show at the Chicago Art Institute.
Later awards came from institutions including the Corcoran
Gallery (Washington, DC), L.O.M. Sweat Memorial Museum (Portland, ME),
the Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center, and the Santa Fe State Museum.
His work has also been exhibited at institutions including the
White Memorial Museum (San Antonio, TX) and the High Plains Historical
Museum (Canyon, TX). Additionally, Bambrook was a member of the
Artists Equity and served as its national vice-president in 1969-70.
Walter Bambrook was born on February 11, 1910 in New Mexico and lived in Albuquerque all of his life. He attended Albuquerque High School and began his art education at the University of New Mexico under the instruction of Ralph Douglas. While at UNM, Bambrook served as a printer's apprentice for the Albuquerque Journal and began his four year art training under Carl von Hassler. After his formal art education was completed, Bambrook taught many private classes and groups at UNM, the Woman's Club and Heights Community Club.
Bambrook received his first award at the age of thirteen from a national art show at the Chicago Art Institute. During his lifetime, he received many awards from other prestigious institutions, among them the L.O.M. Sweat Memorial Museum in Portland, Maine; the Colorado Springs Museum of Fine Arts; the Corcoran Gallery in Washington, D.C.; the Santa Fe State Museum; the University of New Mexico Galleries, and the New Mexico State Fair.
His paintings are also found in private collections in England, Italy, Australia, the United States and Indonesia. Bambrook continued to contribute to the New Mexico art community as the Director of New Mexico State Fair Exhibits, as a member of the New Mexico Artists' Equity, the Professional Albuquerque Artists' Guild, the Taos Art Association and the New Mexico Art League.
Mr. Bambrook died on June 1, 1984 in Albuquerque, New Mexico.
