(Black PR Wire) The Walker Art Gallery is hosting a major exhibition celebrating Black British women and non-binary artists. Conversations (19 October 2024 to 9 March 2025) is the first exhibition of its kind to be held in a national art gallery in the UK.

The ambitious exhibition brings together work by around 40 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.  

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 Brathwaite-Shirley

Emma Prempeh

Evan Ifekoya

Hannah Black

Helen Cammock

Ivy Kalungi

Jade de Montserrat

Jioni Warner

Joy Labinjo

Joy Yamusangie

Kemi Onabulé

Khadija Saye

Lakwena Maciver

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.

liverpoolmuseums.org.uk/conversations

 Source: National Museums Liverpool