NARA WALKER

Nara Walker is an internationally exhibiting artist creating evocative works that convey the human condition from a feminist aesthetic. In recent years she has portrayed trauma, courage, oppression, mythology, freedom and pleasure expressively through various mediums. Walker's work often begins from a biographical viewpoint, moving from chaos to order by making sense of the patterns she sees within identity, philosophy and social constructs. At times interlaying mediums, her work percolates between painting and drawing to eruptive performances, video, and sound art. 

Walker, born in 1990, spent her formative years on the unceded land of the Yugambeh people (Springbrook, Queensland), Australia. She grew up surrounded by her father's followers, who pursued him for the esoteric teachings formed by mystic and philosopher George Gurdjieff. In the isolated landscape, she experienced family violence; creativity and a deep connection to nature became her source of freedom. 

Recent commendations include Highly Commended Artist in the 'Paul Guest Prize' (2022), Bendigo Gallery, Australia. Her creative abilities have been praised since the beginning of her career, critiqued by Rex Butler in ‘The Emerging Issue, Art Monthly Australia' (2013) and as a finalist in the 'Ruth Borchard Self Portrait Prize' (2015, UK). Furthermore, Walker's work has been exhibited in galleries, including the renowned 'Woman Made Gallery' (2018, 2023 USA). In addition, Walker's work is a part of public collections, including 'The National Parliament Library of Tbilisi' (Georgia), ‘Uluslararasi Cocuk Universitesi’ (Turkey), 'Mine Sanat Galerisi' (Turkey) and 'Gallery City Museum of Aveiro' (Portugal).

Seeking body autonomy as a female artist, Walker is inspired to move in front of audiences. Her debut appearance as a performance artist was at the 'Venice Biennale' (2015) with her solo 'Hair Pull'; she performed a second time in the official programme at ‘Venice Art House’ with the work 'Energy String'. 'Beauty Amongst Chaos' was captured on the Turkish paper 'Milliyet' front page for her (2016) solo show at Mine Sanat Gallerisi. In 2021 Walker performed in Berlin 'Do you see the colours in the shadow?' with Seven Star Gallery. Her performances are informed by medium-based embodiment practices and the Japanese performance art – Butoh; she continues to build her repertoire with physical theatre and Jungian theory.

As an Alumna of Griffith University, Walker holds a BFA Honours (2013); she has completed extensive artist residency programmes across Europe, the UK, Iceland, and Georgia. Recent mentions include the Guardian profile, 'Nara Walker: the Australian woman suing Iceland', by Maddison Connaughton. Walker actively works on creating platforms for change; she is the founder of the conference 'No Woman Alone' and co-founder of the 'RVK Feminist Film Festival' (Iceland). Additionally, Walker progressively sued the Icelandic state under the Istanbul Convention - combating gender-based violence - at the European Court of Human Rights; she awaits a verdict on two cases.