21 November – 16 December 2006
Private View: Saturday 18th November, 2-4pm
Artist's talk: Monday 27 November, 2pm*
Whilst the political and social ramifications of police ‘stop and search’ have from time to time figured prominently in the media, such debates have often been mired in polarised arguments about the perceived rights and wrongs of such policies. However, these debates rarely allow for the personal experiences of those affected by such ‘routine’ procedures to be heard. More often than not these voices become muted by depersonalised concepts such as public benefit, community policing and racial profiling, or even the belief that, as far as the police are concerned, there is ‘no smoke without fire’.
Louder Than Words brings together a compelling body of new paintings and drawings that consider the motives behind and the impact of police ‘stop and search’. For artist, Barbara Walker, the issue of ‘stop and search’ resonates deeply. Over the past few years, her son, Solomon has frequently fallen foul of, what superficially might appear to be the police just doing their job within the community. Solomon has been regularly stopped, questioned and, on occasion had to suffer the indignity of phoning his mother from a local police station, to have her verify his identity. This treatment has driven Walker to explore the personal ramifications that such policing has had on her and her family.
Walker’s new work comprises two distinct strands. In the series of large charcoal drawings of her son, Walker evokes all the compassion one might expect to find between this artist and her subject. However, there is more than a suggestion within these works that Walker is aware of other more pejorative modes of visual representation, in particular, the police mug shot or drawings of a courtroom trial. In this context, Walker’s portraits assume an altogether deeper level of resonance, central to which are the state mechanisms which in contemporary Britain still view the Black male as inherently and legitimately in need of ‘special’ policing.
Using as a backdrop digitally enlarged copies of the dockets, what Walker refers to as “police detritus”, issued to her son (following each stop and search), Walker has also produced a series of poignant paintings and drawings of Birmingham’s city centre and suburbs. Although seemingly benign these cityscapes are also the locations where her son has been subjected to insidious and ongoing police scrutiny.
These are remarkable works. Their apparent simplicity and power belies not only the skill of an accomplished practitioner but also, Walker’s ability to dispassionately but intelligently reflect on her predicament. Despite the personal significance of this work, there is, as Eddie Chambers writes, “nothing sentimental about these images” nor is there any “hint of the shrill or the hectoring”. Instead, Walker’s insight offers an astute and dignified riposte to what for many, not least a mother, would be the most trying of situations.
Biography
Barbara Walker graduated in fine art from the University of Central England in 1996. She has undertaken a number of solo projects including: Testimony, Queen’s Hall, Northumberland, 2005; Private Face, EMACA, Nottingham, 2002, this exhibition also toured to Midlands Arts Centre, Birmingham and 198 Gallery, London. Over the past ten years Walker has also exhibited in several group exhibitions including: Families, Oxford House, London, 2006; Birmingham Artsfest 06,2006;True Stories, Wolverhampton Art Gallery, 2003; Intervention Project, Birmingham, 2002. Walker has also been the recipient of a number of funding and research awards. In 2005, Walker spent a month at Accademia Italiana, Florence, Italy, studying drawing and painting. She lives and works in Birmingham.Accompanying the exhibition is an illustrated poster/brochure featuring a newly commissioned essay by Eddie Chambers.
The exhibition has been supported by London Metropolitan University, Arts Council England and Digital Lab.
For more information contact: Richard Hylton or Reuben Thurnhill at Unit 2 on 020 7320 1970 or at info@unit2.co.uk
*LMU 41 Commercial Road, 1st Floor lecture theatreArtist: Barbara Walker
Exhibition: Louder Than Words
Opening Times: Tuesday - Friday 12-6pm and Saturday 1-6pm
Admission: Free Private View: Saturday 18 November, 2006, 2-4pm
Exhibition: 18 November – 16 December 2006
* London Metropolitan University, 41 Commercial Road, 1st Floor lecture
theatre.
In collaboration with the BA Fine Art Department
(The talk is free but booking is advised)
For more information contact: Richard Hylton (Curator) at Unit 2 on 020 7320 1970/1948 info@unit2.co.uk
