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“I hope my work - with its own mythology - will lead others to discover or more deeply connect with their own personal mythology,” says Knabe.
A designer since the age of 14, Walter Knabe obtained his Master’s degree in Fine Arts from the University of Wisconsin. Walter opened his first studio nearly 35 years ago as a painter in New York City. As fate would have it, he had a chance to cover the walls of a prominent Manhattan apartment with his heavily patterned paintings, setting into motion a life long career. His paintings quickly morphed into full-scale wall coverings, which have been in demand by many high profile clients and interior design houses. In addition, his studio has also produced fabrics and other home décor products developed from Walter’s screen-printing expertise; as well as hand made and licensed designs for bedding, stationery and national event artwork.
Walter’s signature style is inspired by a sense of antiquity and the ever-evolving presence of everyday life. He approaches his work from the philosophy of timeless design, creating an expressive sacred space that is relevant for future generations. With a collision of colors and elements, he blends new and old in a bold, layered, narrative combination. Walter takes a soulful approach as he creates a mythology within his artwork which inspires others.
For over 35 years, Walter Knabe has been a trusted resource for high profile collectors and interior designers around the globe who covet Walter’s work. His studio houses show room for his wall coverings and fabrics, as well as Walter’s personal painting studio; allowing for a certain blending of fine and functional art.
His artwork can be found in the homes and offices of film, sports and music legends. Walter has been the official artist for several high profile events, including the Indianapolis 500. Permanent installations can be found in numerous businesses all over the world.
Michael Jordan, Chicago, Il
Mr. and Mrs. George Bush, Houston, TX
Saul Steinberg, New York, NY
Andre Agassi, Las Vegas, NV
Richard Gere, New York, NY
Neil Simon, Saddle River, NJ
William Woodward, New York, NY
Spike Lee, Brooklyn, NY
Dylan Cannon, Los Angeles, CA
Dean Schulhof, New York, NY
“Design Legend”, 2011, IIDC
Argosy Casino, Lawrenceburg, IN
Paris Casino, Las Vegas, NV
Empire Hotel, New York, NY
Harrods, London, England
Bloomindales, New York, NY
Citibank, New York, NY
Manufacturers Hanover, New York, NY
Indianapolis Artsgarden, Indianapolis, IN
Trump Plaza, New York, NY
Michael Graves Architect, Princeton, NJ
Community Hospital, Indianapolis, IN
Walt Disney World, Orlando, FL
The White House, Washington D.C.
National Gymnastics Championships 2005, Indianapolis, IN
Indianapolis 500 2010, Indianapolis, IN
Super Bowl 2012 Poster Host City, Indianapolis, IN
Conrad Indianapolis, Presidential Suite, Indianapolis, IN
Riley Children’s Hospital, Indianapolis, IN
American United Life Insurance, Indianapolis, IN
Steve Chase, Los Angeles, CA
Eli Lilly & Co., Indianapolis, IN
Third Street Art, Bloomington, IN
Philippe Starck, New York, NY
F. Schumacher, New York, NY
Business Week, New York, NY
Guy Laroche, New York, NY
Vintage Books, New York, NY
Gregory & Appel Insurance, Indianapolis, IN
LDI Ltd, Indianapolis, IN
1975 Worked with Thomas Hart Benton on implementation of one of his last murals in Joplin, MO.
1977 University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI. Painting exhibition.
1978 Lockerbie Gallery, Indianapolis, IN. Solo painting exhibition.
1979 Madison Art Center, Madison, WI. Group painting exhibition.
1981 Carrington Gallery, New York, NY. Fine artwork and functional artwork.
1984 Susan Markel Gallery, New York, NY. Works on paper.
1987 Betty Cunningham Gallery, New York, NY. Group painting exhibition.
1990 Brooklyn Art Museum, Brooklyn, NY. Painting exhibition.
1992 Ruschman Gallery, Indianapolis, IN. “Sculptural Vessels” exhibition.
1995 Indianapolis Museum of Art, Indianapolis, IN. “Walter Knabe – Fine Art Goes Functional”.
1996 Winn Casino, Atlantic City, NJ. Commissioned murals.
1997 Felissimo, New York, NY. Painting exhibition.
2005 Indianapolis Art Center, Indianapolis, IN. “Confluence and Convergence; Michael Graves and Walter Knabe”
2008 Niermann Weeks, New York, NY. Screenprint exhibition.
2009 Evan Lurie Gallery, Indianapolis, IN. Painting and screenprint exhibition.
2010 Artbox Gallery, Indianapolis, IN. Painting and screenprint exhibition.
2011 Art Naples, Naples. FL. Painting exhibition.
2011 Art Newport, Newport, RI. “Mythologies” Solo painting exhibition.
2011 Art Greenwich, Greenwich, CT. NAC Gallery painting exhibition.
2011 Long-Sharp/Curls, Detroit, MI. Screenprint and painting exhibition.
2012 Art Palm Beach, West Palm Beach, FL. Painting exhibition.
2014 National Art Museum of Sports, Indianapolis, IN.
2014 Red Dot Art Fair, Miami, FL.
2011-15 Conrad Indianapolis Hotel - West Foyer. Indianapolis, IN. Screenprint and painting exhibition.
2017 LDI Industries, Indianapolis, IN. Screenprint and painting exhibition.
2017 Reliant Partners, Indianapolis, IN. “An Evening with Aphrodite”. Painting, screenprint and unique screeprint exhibition.
Imperial Home Décor Group, Cleveland, OH
Fieldcrest/Pillowtex, Kannapolis, NC
Monarch Design, Providence, RI
Brownlow Corp. Fort Worth, TX
Stamps Happen, Fullerton, CA
Sunrise/Hallmark, Kansas City, MO
Hampton Art, Los Angeles, CA
Paper Adventures, Milwaukee, WI
Checks Unlimited, Colorado Springs, CO
Me and My Big Ideas, Lake Forest, CA
1975-76 Study and work with Thomas Hart Benton, St. Louis, MO
1976 BFA Columbia College, Columbia, MO
1978 MA University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI
1979 MFA University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI
Off The Wall | Walter Knabe from Angie's List on Vimeo.
