Born in Birmingham, England, Barbara Walker has established a practice centered on the intersection of personal and collective history. Her work often utilizes drawing as a primary medium, frequently executed directly onto gallery walls to engage with the physical space of the institution.

Her practice is characterized by a focus on documentation and the act of erasure, serving as a social reflective tool to challenge stereotypes surrounding the African-Caribbean community. By layering historical narratives with contemporary portraiture, she interrogates how identity is recorded and perceived within the British landscape.

Walker continues to receive significant institutional recognition, including the recent acquisition of her work by the Tate for its national collection. Her contributions to contemporary art have been highlighted through major gallery representation and ongoing engagement with themes of visibility and representation.