Barbara Walker is a British artist who lives and works in Birmingham. Her paintings and drawings of the human figure open up a dialogue with viewers concerning the notions about race identity, belonging, class, power and the politics of how we look at others. Working in a range of media and formats, from works on paper and canvas to large-scale wall installations, Walker is particularly concerned with social and political issues with particular reference to history and cultural differences in contemporary life. Her work often looks at the world around her, particularly what she sees reflected in the communities in which she lives and works. Barbara Walker was awarded a 1st Class BA in Art and Design by the University of Central England, Birmingham, 1996. She has undertaken several residencies and has had a significant number of solo exhibitions of her drawings and paintings, in the UK. Her work has also been included in international exhibitions.
Group Exhibitions include: Mac Birmingham, Birmingham, 2016; James Hockey Gallery, Farnham, 2015; galleryELL, London and New York, 2014; Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery, 2014; Djangoly Gallery, Nottingham, 2013; Tiwani Contemporary, London, 2013; Launch F18, New York, 2013; Fehily Contemporary Gallery, Melbourne, 2012. The New Art Gallery Walsall, Walsall, 2011. In 2015 her work was selected by Jennifer Higgie for an Arts Council.
Highlights and Collections
Her work is held in private and public collections including Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery and the Arts Council Collection and Wolverhampton Art Gallery.