The Walker Art Gallery will host a major exhibition celebrating Black British women and non-binary artists. Conversations (19 October 2024 to 9 March 2025) will be the first exhibition of its kind to be held in a national art gallery in the UK.
The ambitious exhibition brings together work by nearly 50 leading Black women and non-binary artists who are transforming contemporary British art today. A wide range of media will be represented, from traditional fine art practices including painting and sculpture, to contemporary forms such as sound and installation; most of which date from the last ten years.
Through the powerful artworks on display, the exhibition aims to provide a platform for crucial conversations to take place, asking poignant and necessary questions about today’s culture and society. The exhibition takes place in the wake of the distressing acts of violence, hatred and racism seen across the UK in recent months, demonstrating the timely and vital need for discussion and understanding.
Sumuyya Khader, Project Curator, said: “Conversations is a celebration of the groundbreaking work being made by Black women and non-binary artists today. Much of the discourse surrounding Black British art, where it exists, concentrates on work made by a handful of artists, predominantly in the 1980s and 90s.
“While the exhibition acknowledges the impact and importance of their work, we want to focus on the vital conversations that contemporary artists are having with each other and with audiences right now. Through joyful, timely and thought-provoking pieces, they are responding to our current cultural climate – demonstrating how art can provide an avenue for interaction, exploration and learning.”
The majority of the artworks on display are borrowed directly from the artists themselves, with some from public collections and a small number from National Museums Liverpool’s own collection. Discussions around which artists might be included in the exhibition were held with a steering group representing a cross-section of artists, curators and academics from across the UK.
Visitors will see work by artists including Claudette Johnson, Miranda Forrester, Rachel Jones, Sola Olulode and Joy Yamusangie – all of whom exhibited at the Venice Biennale 2024. Powerful work by artists such as Helen Cammock and Khadija Saye feature, alongside vibrant paintings by Joy Labinjo and Kemi Onabulé among others.
Artwork by Anthea Hamilton, Lubaina Himid and Maud Sulter will also be shown. Conversations developed from early discussions with Lubaina Himid about the ‘double invisibility’ of Black British women and non-binary artists in public collections and established art histories.
The exhibition is part of a wider research and collecting project through which the Walker aims to acquire new artwork by Black British women and non-binary artists, who are currently underrepresented within its collection.
Conversations is supported by Art Fund and the Paul Mellon Centre for Studies in British Art. The exhibition will be accompanied by an illustrated publication containing in-conversation discussions and a selection of essays.
The following artists feature in the exhibition:
Alberta Whittle
Amber Akaunu & Elliss Eyo-Thompson
Anthea Hamilton
Bernice Mulenga
Bokani
Charmaine Watkiss
Claudette Johnson
Danielle Braithwaite – Shirley
Emma Prempeh
Evan Ifekoya
Hannah Black
Helen Cammock
Ivy Kalungi
Jade de Montserrat
Jioni Warner
Joy Labinjo
Joy Yamusangie
Kemi Onabulé
Khadija Saye
Lubaina Himid
Maud Sulter
Michaela Yearwood-Dan
Miranda Forrester
Nnena Kalu
Olivia Sterling
Onyeka Igwe
Phoebe Collings James
Quilla Constance
Rachel Jones
Rene Matić
Rhea Dillon
Rudy Loewe
Sahara Longe
Sharon Walters
Simone Brewster
Sola Olulode
Sumuyya Khader
Zinzi Minott
Conversations is a free exhibition, with donations welcome.