For BA (Hons) Fine Art graduate Liz Walker, the transition from university studios to the national stage has been nothing short of extraordinary. Following an incredible year of creative exploration, she’s returned to the National Portrait Gallery this autumn for a major new commission as part of the Inclusive Transformations project.
The project invited artists to delve into the National Portrait Gallery’s historic archive and respond directly to its rich collections.
For her contribution, Liz created a striking 140 x 140 cm oil painting depicting Alicia Ellen Neave Little, a subject discovered within the Gallery's carte de visite collection – small, 19th-century photographic portraits mounted on cardstock.
Drawn initially to the photograph's soft, contemplative quality where the figure appears completely absorbed in her own work rather than posing for a camera, Liz uncovered a fascinating history, revealing Little’s legacy as a women’s rights activist and author. Through her meticulous brushwork, Liz has brought this important historical narrative back into the light.
The resulting portrait is now on display in the Clore Studio at the National Portrait Gallery where it will remain open to the public for a six-month run.
This autumn's installation builds on an already phenomenal year for Liz’s relationship with London’s cultural institutions. Earlier this spring, her work was featured in the Made Together exhibition at the National Portrait Gallery (13 March – 7 June) where she contributed three cyanotypes created in response to the Gallery’s Youth Late, Cecil Beaton’s House Party.
Liz comments: “It’s been an incredible opportunity to become involved in NPG’s youth programmes, first as part of the LAB team producing youth late events last year, and now as an artistic collaborator previously on the Common Grounds display, as part of the Inclusive Transformations project.
“It’s been especially rewarding to work on projects so closely aligned with my interests and practice, particularly exploring archival imagery and shining a light on a historical woman from the past. Having a project to work towards gave me so much motivation and seeing it exhibited at the National Portrait Gallery has been incredibly fulfilling. It feels great to see the hard work I’ve put into developing my practice since graduating begin to pay off.”
Since graduating from AUB in 2024, Liz’s practice has continued to expand, moving fluidly between archival research, oil painting and experimental photographic processes. Her post-graduation milestones also include having a painting selected for The Graduate Art Show 2025 at the Vanner Gallery in Salisbury.
“I’m currently working on a new body of work to go on display for my solo show at St Albans Collective Gallery this April. I’ve been running a variety of art workshops and most recently a collaboration with Moleskine for their EcoFest at Battersea, and aim to keep growing connections to allow me to exhibit my work and share my love of creating through my workshops.
“My advice for current BA (Hons) Fine Art students is that while it’s not always easy to keep making work after leaving such a strong creative community, the best thing you can do is surround yourself with creatives, pour into your practice, and keep applying to opportunities.”
