Walt “Wali” Neil
RENOWNED MURALIST, MASTER PAINTER & ILLUSTRATOR
Walt "Wali" Neil is an immense talent, and his commitment to painting has inspired three generations of artists around the nation to create art that represents and speaks to the black community. Neil's lifetime of creative work amplifies the need to cherish public murals, figurative African American art, as well as African diaspora music and dance.
WALT WALI NEIL (1954-2020)
“Wali wanted to paint the whole world, and he did”
SLIDESHOW FEATURING MURALS BY WALT NEIL
Sela Mariama
WALT NEIL DOCUMENTARY
Donte Woods-Spikes
Wali’s Time is Now Award-winning director Donte Woods-Spikes interviewed the King-Lincoln/Bronzeville art community about Neil’s mural and commissions legacy, creating a documentary based on Wali’s life with Columbus art and artists at its heart.
Sheri Neale is Board Chair of Maroon Arts Group and facilitated a memorial for Wali was led by Baba Tony West at the MPACC BoxPark in 2020; Wali’s ashes reside at the site. Maroon Arts Group also organized the community-centered Wali Day Sunday, September 5, with All Peoples Arts, the Wali Mural League, Sound Therapy, and original art. This day honored three great Columbus artists, Walt Neil, Smoky Brown, and Robert Stull.
WALT “WALI” NEIL IN THE NEWS
Easton Mural to honor Walt Wali Neil
Collective Arts Network Cleveland “Walt Neil: Until We Meet Again” by Gwendolyn Garth
Columbus Dispatch “Artist Walt Wali Neil remembered for depictions of Black life, love” Erica Thompson
Hot Times Festival Hot Times Artist News, “Wali Neil Honored!”
Hot Times Festival “In Memory 2020”
ARTIST OF THE SPIRIT
Curated by Sela Mariama, April 4 - April 30, 2022
Wali Neil Untitled, Woman with Temple in Space
Acrylic on paper, 18 x 12 in, 1997, Framed
Enjoy Sacred Water now at $2200/mo, interest free for 10 months with Art Money
Walt “Wali” Neil Untitled, Cosmic Royal Couple with Eyes Closed
Acrylic on paper with collage, framed 16-1/2 x 20 in
Wali Neil Untitled, Woman with Water Bowl
Acrylic on wood, 33 5/8 x 35 5/8 in
Enjoy Woman with Water Bowl for $3500/mo for 10 months, sign up for Art Money
Walt Wali Neil Untitled, Plumeria Tree Presenting Flowers
Acrylic on paper, 17-1/2 x 11-1/2, c. 1997, Framed
Walt Wali Neil Sky, Boat, Rock Diving
One of Neil’s most imaginitive and sunlit paintings with a couple having fun in the clouds
Acrylic on canvas, 12 x 20 in, c. 2010
Walt Wali Neil Untitled, Profile Portrait
Ink on paper, framed, original 17 x 13.5 in
Walt “Wali” Neil Untitled, Kids unveil earth with dynamite
Ink on paper, original 24 x 18 in
Walt “Wali” Neil Untitled, Girl with 321
Ink on paper, original 24 x 18 in.
321 is a spiritual number. Visions of a place like Senegal are revealed in the background
Walt “Wali” Neil Original cut paper collage, Untitled, Nature Girl
Cut paper, glue, 17 x 11 in
Walt “Wali” Neil Untitled, Angel and Devil
Artist colored print, ink on paper, 16 x 11 in, One-of-a-kind original $6,500
Walt Wali Neil Spiritual portrait with Ankh symbol
Original collage on paper, 23 x 17 in
Walt Wali Neil, Tree and Roots Diorama, Acrylic on cardboard, 40 x 60 in (101.6 x 152.4 cm)
Walt Wali Neil, Untitled, Cosmic Portrait in the Sky, Acrylic on cardboard, custom frame with museum glass, 12 x 18 in (30.48 x 45.72 cm)
PAINTINGS & PRINTS
ARTIST OF THE SPIRIT COLLECTION
BOXPARK GALLERY COLLECTION
Wali Neil Untitled, Cosmic Love
Acrylic on foam core, 40 x 20 in
Enjoy the original Cosmic Love now for $3200/mo for 10 months, sign up for Art Money
Wali Neil Reflections
Acrylic on canvas, 24 x 18 in
Enjoy the original Reflections now for $3200/mo for 10 months, sign up for Art Money
Wali Neil Magnolia’s Throne
Acrylic on canvas, 24 x 18 in
Enjoy the original painting Magnolia’s Throne now for $3200/mo for 10 months, sign up for Art Money
Wali Neil Sky Gazers
Acrylic on canvas, 24 x 18 in
Enjoy Sky Gazers now at $2600/mo for 10 months, sign up for Art Money
Wali Neil Untitled, Shaman with Swans
Acrylic on canvas, 30 x 24 in
Enjoy Shaman with Swans now for $3200/mo for 10 months, sign up for Art Money
Wali Neil Woman at the River
Acrylic on canvas, 20 x 12 in
Enjoy Woman at the River now at $2600/mo for 10 months, sign up for Art Money
Wali Neil Untitled, Plumeria Rose
Acrylic on canvas, 29 x 12 in
Enjoy Plumeria Rose now for $2600/mo for 10 months, sign up for Art Money
Wali Neil Untitled,Champion LeBron
Acrylic on canvas, 24 x 18 in
Enjoy Champion LeBron now for $3200/mo for 10 months, sign up for Art Money
Walt “Wali” Neil Memorial for Aretha Franklin
Acrylic on canvas, 24 x 18 in
Enjoy Memorial for Aretha Franklin at $3200/mo for 10 months, sign up for Art Money
Wali Neil Untitled, Roots of Bob Marley
Acrylic on wood, 24 x 24 in
Enjoy Roots of Bob Marley at $3200/mo for 10 months, sign up for Art Money
Wali Neil, Untitled, Richard Pryor Diagonal Painting
Acrylic on wood, 24 x 24 in
Enjoy Richard Pryor Diagonal Painting $3200/mo for 10 months, sign up for Art Money
Walt Wali Neil Chasing Butterflies
Wali's young subject seems to celebrate and connect with the natural environment surrounding her, which bursts with greenery, flowers, and the spirit of Mother Nature. This charming yet profound artwork celebrates nature both figuratively and literally, reflected in a child's joy chasing, and being chased by butterflies. This delightful scene takes place inside a unique frame of twisted branches and reveals a mysterious figure standing amidst a lush landscape.
Acrylic and mixed media on board, with extended wood branches, 27-3/4 x 27- 3/4 x 2 5/8 in.