Barbara Walker, 2017 Bursary Award

Birmingham based artist Barbara Walker has been selected for the 2017 Bursary Award.

The Bursary Award reflects Drawing Room’s commitment to supporting the development of artists’ practice by providing opportunities for risk taking and experimentation. Every two years we offer an artist the opportunity to develop a body of work using the gallery for four weeks either as a studio, or, to present their work for public exhibition, or a combination of the two. Selection is through a process of invited nominations from curators, artists, writers and academics around the UK and Ireland. Artists are then invited to submit an application.

Working in a range of media and formats, from works on paper and canvas to large-scale wall installations, Walker is 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 and what she sees reflected in the communities in which she lives and works. She says, ‘I will use the Bursary Award to further examine the act of erasure in my work, and consider what remains – the residue of a drawing both as a record of what once existed, and as a discreet artwork with formal qualities and an energy and purpose of its own. The award will support me in building upon and developing my practice, providing me with the time, space and resources to push beyond the work I have done to date.’

Walker was nominated by both artist Sonia Boyce and Jonathan Watkins (Director, Ikon Gallery).  The selection panel included Hardeep Pandhal (Artist and recipient of the 2015 Bursary Award), Amrita Jhaveri (Director, Jhaveri Contemporary) and Drawing Room co-directors Mary Doyle and Kate Macfarlane.

There will be an Open Studio and in conversation between Barbara Walker and Jacqui McIntosh (Exhibitions Manager, Drawing Room) in September.

This years’ Bursary Award is supported by Cass Art and proceeds raised from Drawing Biennial 2017.

Image: Installation view, Barbara Walker, Diaspora Pavilion, Venice, 2017
Courtesy of the artist