Alexander Walker: A Tribute to the Evening Standards Film Critic

Thursday 3rd June - Sunday 11th July 2004

Alexander Walker: A Tribute is a celebration of the life and art collection of the Evening Standard's celebrated film critic. Walker, who was a Maida Vale resident and who died in 2003 aged 73, worked as film critic for the Evening Standard for more than 43 years, becoming a close friend and biographer of many great directors and film stars. Born in Northern Ireland, he attended Queen's University in Belfast and the University of Michigan, where he lectured in political philosophy for two years from 1952. He started his journalistic career at the Birmingham Gazette, working as features editor from 1954 to 1956, before moving to the Birmingham Post as leader writer and film critic, and then on to the Evening Standard in 1960.

Over many years, Alexander Walker built up an important collection of modern and contemporary prints and works on paper by major British and American artists, adding interesting works by lesser-known figures when something caught his refined eye. This exhibition marks the first public showing of highlights from this collection and celebrates the unparalleled contribution that Walker made to film criticism, as well as to the public's understanding of cinema, that quintessentially twentieth-century medium.

The Ben Uri’s tribute coincides with an exhibition of his collection in the Prints & Drawings Room at the British Museum; Alexander Walker: A Tribute will be a rare glimpse into the private life and public persona of Alexander Walker.

Please contact Elinor Kaye for more information and images: elinor@benuri.org.uk 020 7604 3991