Barbara Walker

Barbara Walker's work draws inspiration from the social, political, and cultural realities that shape not only her own life but also the lives of those in her circle.

Biography of Barbara Walker

Barbara Walker was born in 1964 in Birmingham, UK. She pursued her undergraduate studies at the University of Central England, Birmingham, and later completed her postgraduate studies at Wolverhampton University.

In 2017, she showcased her work at the 57th Venice Biennale as a participant in the Diaspora Pavilion. That same year, she was honored with the Drawing Room Bursary Award and the inaugural Evelyn Williams Drawing Award, in collaboration with the Jerwood Charitable Foundation.

In 2019, she was appointed an MBE in the New Year Honours for her contributions to British Art. The following year, she held the prestigious position of 2020 Bridget Riley Fellow at the British School at Rome. In 2023, Walker was elected as a member of the Royal Academy of Arts and also shortlisted for the Turner Prize.

Her recent solo exhibitions include "Vanishing Point" at Cristea Roberts Gallery in London (2022), "Place, Space and Who" at Turner Contemporary in Margate (2019-2021), and "Vanishing Point" at Jerwood Gallery in Hastings (2018).

Barbara Walker's works have been featured in numerous group exhibitions, including "Unseen Stories" at Kensington Palace in London (2024), "Entangled Pasts, 1768-Now" at Royal Academy in London (2024), "Dialogues Across Disciplines" at Ruth and Elmer Wellin Museum of Art in New York (2023), among others.

Currently, Walker lives and works in Birmingham, UK.

Barbara Walker's Art Style

Raised in Birmingham, her upbringing profoundly influenced her artistic approach, which grapples with themes of class and power, gender, race, representation, and belonging. Through figurative drawings and paintings, Barbara Walker narrates contemporary tales rooted in historical contexts, offering insights that resonate universally and provide a human perspective on societal issues both in her native Britain and beyond.

Walker creates portraits across various mediums and styles, spanning from small embossed pieces on paper to canvas paintings and large-scale charcoal wall drawings. Her subjects frequently belong to marginalized groups, prompting viewers to see beyond the dehumanizing effects of societal categorizations. Through her art, she illuminates the lived experiences of others and challenges the assumptions linked to societal labels.