Caroline Walker’s expansive canvases and intimate panels feature nameless women in settings that blur the boundaries between public and private. Through her paintings, Walker sheds light on the mundane yet significant aspects of a woman’s life. Her diverse subjects come to life through the spaces they inhabit, each series depicting a distinct sense of time and place. From the unapologetic luxury and socioeconomic dynamics of beauty parlors in her series “Painted Ladies,” to the compassionate portrayals of refugees and asylum seekers in “Home” (commissioned by Kettle’s Yard, UK), to the architectural frame of London’s working women in “Service.”
In her latest works, Walker turns her attention to her immediate environment. She skillfully delves into the line between observer and participant, magnifying the experience of a place that has become intertwined with her life. These pieces serve as a contemplation on the concept of community and how the anonymous individuals we encounter become characters in our own stories. Her subjects range from a neighbor tending to her garden, to the local dry cleaner and a pharmacy sales assistant, all connected within a discreet area of bustling London. Through her art, Walker captures the small movements of daily existence and encapsulates the unnoticed yet essential aspects of life that are often brushed aside but hold immense significance. They also double as a self-portrait, documenting the artist’s journey through the places she frequents.
www.ftn-books.com has the KM21 invitation now available.
