New Talk Art!!! We meet Sharon Walters, a London-based artist who creates hand-assembled collages celebrating black women. 'Seeing Ourselves', Sharon's ongoing series, is an exploration of under-representation in many arenas in particular, the arts and heritage sector and mainstream western media. The work encourages us to "'take up space', be seen and create our own spaces."

Sharon's ongoing series ‘Seeing Ourselves' is an exploration of identity, beauty standards, and race through celebratory papercuts and hand-assembled collages, which are available in limited edition print form. These pieces are created using images from women’s magazines, as well as photographs taken by the artist herself, or provided by others. Each carefully constructed collage features a black woman, and is a celebration of natural afro hair and its beauty.

Sharon's celebratory approach extends through to her workshop and curatorial work, which continues to explore the representation of black women in many arenas, including arts, heritage and media. Sharon reframes these representations to share her experiences as a black woman in a celebratory, uplifting light. So often blackness is represented as 'other'. Sharon provokes an alternative narrative of empowerment. Each piece is a reaffirmation of the right to ‘take up space’ even when you don’t see yourself in certain settings.

Since graduating with a degree in Fine Art from Central St Martins (University of the Arts) in 2011, Sharon has developed her practice and continued her work with community arts organisations and museums, using them as platforms to explore and collaborate with the voices of those who are often unheard.

Follow Sharon on Instagram: @London_Artist1 and visit her official website: https://www.londonartist1.com/

Sharon Walters: Seeing Ourselves major new solo exhibition is now open! The show runs until Sun 26th June at MAC Midlands Art Centre, Birmingham and Is FREE ENTRY!!!! So what you waiting for? Visit: https://macbirmingham.co.uk/exhibition/seeing-ourselves

For images of all artworks discussed in this episode visit @TalkArt. Talk Art theme music by Jack Northover @JackNorthoverMusic courtesy of HowlTown.com We've just joined Twitter too @TalkArt. If you've enjoyed this episode PLEASE leave us your feedback and maybe 5 stars if we're worthy in the Apple Podcast store. For all requests, please email talkart@independenttalent.com

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