Acknowledging an absence of representation over the past 100 years, the exhibition concentrates upon the contribution of Black servicemen and women to the British Armed Forces and war efforts from 1914 to the present day. It reflects upon contemporary British conflict alongside historical events of warfare involving Britain and the colonised nations of the British Empire. As the world commemorates the centenary of World War I, the body of work addresses the stories that remain largely untold.
Poignant and affecting, 'Shock and Awe' alludes to the physical and psychological impact of conflict, and on the often turbulent return to civilian life after war. Through the collection of large-scale drawings, Walker reflects upon the contributions of the British West Indies Regiment and the King’s African Rifles, among others, and addresses gender and the under-recognised role of servicewomen from the Caribbean and West India Regiments in World War II.
Shock and Awe was commissioned by mac birmingham and curated by Lynda Morris and Craig Ashley. It has been realised with support from the Herbert Art Gallery & Museum, The John Feeney Charitable Trust and Arts Council England.
Photography by Chris Keenan and courtesy of Alan Cristea Gallery
2015, conte on paper,159 x 195cm
2015, conte on paper, 159 x 195 cm
2016, conte on paper, 159 x 195 cm
2015,conte and white paint on paper, 159 x 195 cm
2015,charcoal and white paint on paper, 159 x 126 cm
2016,conte on paper, 159 x 195 cm
2016,graphite on paper and digital print,
70.5 x 54 cm
2016,graphite on paper and digital print, 70.5 x 54 cm
Detail
2016, conte on digital image, 96.5 x 70.5 cm
2016,conte on digital image, 96.5 x 70.5 cm
2016, conte on digital image, 96.5 x 70.5 cm
Diptych,2016, graphite on paper and digital print,
70.5 x 54 cm
Diptych,2016, graphite on paper and digital print
Detail
2016, graphite on digital print, 70.5 x 54 cm
2016, graphite on embossed paper, 42 x 50 cm
2017, graphite on embossed paper, 51 x 61 cm
2018, graphite on embossed paper, 51 x 61 cm
2018, graphite on embossed paper, 51 x 61 cm
2017, graphite on embossed paper, 51 x 61 cm
2018, graphite on embossed paper, 63x 46 cm
2018, graphite on embossed paper, 51 x 61 cm
2018,graphite on embossed paper, 63x46 cm
Details
2018, graphite on embossed paper, 61x 47cm
Details
2018, ink,gold leaf, velum and tracing paper on digital media, 48 x 35.5 cm
2018, ink, velum and tracing paper on digital media, 48 x 35.5 cm
2018, ink,tracing paper on digital media, 48 x 35.5 cm
2019, ink and tracing paper on digital media 48 x 35.5 cm
2019, ink and tracing paper on digital media.48 x 35.5 cm
2020 graphite on embossed paper, 61 x 47cm