Place, Space and Who
2021
Exhibitions
Overview
Place, Space and Who, an evocative artwork by Walker, emerged from her four-month residency at Turner Contemporary. This compelling piece delves into themes of migration and human movement, specifically highlighting the experiences of women within Margate's diverse migrant communities, encompassing both long-established and newly arrived populations. The work features an immersive soundscape by artist Dan Scott and portrays five women and girls from various generations of the African Diaspora residing in Margate and Kent.
Walker states,
"For 'Place, Space and Who,' my focus was on the perception of belonging to a minority group." In this creation, Walker skillfully references Western art history's portraiture traditions, keenly observing how identity and power are conveyed through attire, composition, and symbolic elements. Rendered in charcoal and local Margate chalk, these figures powerfully assert their presence, embodying the resilience and spirit of women and girls instrumental in shaping Margate as a home, and acknowledging their significant, often understated, social and cultural contributions.