On Thursday 3 October, the Whitworth is hosting it’s Autumn Preview celebration event with the opening of Barbara Walker: Being Here exhibition.

This major exhibition will bring together over 70 works spanning Walker’s career from the 1990s to today, including her Turner Prize nominated portrait series Burden of Proof (2022-23) and rarely seen drawings.

Growing up in Birmingham, Walker experienced issues of class, race, power and belonging which shaped her practice. She makes work that ranges from small, embossed works on paper, to large-scale wall drawings. Intensely observed and empathetic, her work gives a powerful presence to Black communities and culture in art history.

Centred on concepts of visibility and erasure, the exhibition will bring together paintings, prints and drawings from across Walker’s career, including her most recent Turner Prize nominated series Burden of Proof (2022-23), co-commissioned by Sharjah Art Foundation with support from the Whitworth. The exhibition will include a commission focusing on the Windrush generation and in response to the Whitworth’s collection of historic drawings and wallpaper.

The event is free to attend.

• Book their tickets in advance via Eventbrite