1969-present
Works in the Collection
Biography
Kara Walker was born in Stockton, California in 1969. She was raised in Atlanta and earned a BFA at the Atlanta College of Art in 1991 and an MFA at the Rhode Island School of Design in 1994. Since she first appeared on the national scene, Kara Walker has been a lightening rod for social, cultural, and historical issues, her work consistently pushed the boundaries of people’s comfort level with images of race and gender and their place in American history. Although mostly known for her cutout silhouette and diorama installations, it is important to remember that Kara is an exceptionally skilled figurative renderer. These cutouts reference the most difficult and unpalatable aspects of racial oppression, interaction, and misogyny that were and still remain at the center of discussions about race. Walker’s work asks us to look directly into the history of race in America and calls into question the degree to which we’re willing to accept racial tension as integral to building this nation. Her challenging narratives require that the viewers accept the uncomfortable responsibility to confront our history.
Walker’s work can be found in numerous museums and public collections including The Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum, the Museum of Modern Art, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Tate Gallery, the Museo Nazionale Delle Arti del XXI Secolo (MAXXI) in Rome, and private collections around the world.