Seeing Ourselves

Sharon Walters (b. 1975) is a London-based artist and project curator whose work speaks directly to the narratives surrounding race, identity, and empowerment. This exhibition is a poignant meditation on the significance of Black women’s presence in spaces often dominated by exclusionary narratives. Through a dynamic blend of mediums—including intricate paper cut-outs, hand-assembled collages, and multimedia installations—Walters brings into focus the power, grace, and individuality of Black women, offering a counterpoint to the "othering" often experienced in mainstream culture.

Walters uses a variety of sources—personal photographs, found imagery, and contributions from friends and community members—to create deeply layered works that explore the complexities of femininity, race, and belonging. The collages, some monumental in scale and others small enough to fit in the palm of a hand, reflect her meticulous attention to detail, transforming ordinary photographs into profound narratives of resilience and strength. Her paper cut-outs, floated within glass, cast haunting shadows, symbolising the often-silenced histories and experiences of Black communities.

Central to Walters’ practice is the desire to empower and assert the right to "take up space" in the art world and beyond. As an educator, activist, and advocate, Walters’ work goes beyond representation—it becomes an act of reclamation. This body of work encapsulates both her personal journey and a broader social commentary on the racial dynamics of public spaces.

This exhibition also highlights Walters’ ability to intertwine art with activism, using the medium as a tool for healing, reflection, and reformation. While Black women have historically been marginalised both as subjects and creators in museums and galleries, Walters challenges this marginalisation by normalising their representation in her works. Seeing Ourselves is not just a visual collection but a statement—an invitation to examine more closely, to confront the spaces we inhabit, and to reclaim ownership over narratives.

Having exhibited at institutions such as the Fitzwilliam Museum, Gagosian, and the National Portrait Gallery, Walters has garnered recognition for her contributions to contemporary art. She has been awarded the Reach Art Prize (2019), the Mosaic Art Award (2023), and will hold a forthcoming exhibition at Royal Museums Greenwich in 2026 as part of the Caird Fellowship Award. Her work remains part of major public collections, further solidifying her place in the ongoing conversation about identity, visibility, and empowerment.