Audrey Barker facts for kids

Audrey Melville Barker (born November 1, 1932 – died August 25, 2002) was a British artist. She became famous for her unique art installations. These artworks explored new ideas about disability and how to make art accessible for everyone.

Early Life and Art Training

Audrey Barker was born in West Ham, a part of East London. During World War II, she was sent to live on a farm. There, she became very sick with tuberculosis. This illness caused her to spend many years in hospitals. It also led to long-term bone problems and arthritis.

Even though she missed a lot of school, Audrey was very smart. In 1944, she won a scholarship to East Ham Grammar School for Girls. Later, she studied art at Walthamstow School of Art from 1950 to 1955. After that, she got a teaching qualification at the Leicester College of Art.

Developing New Art Ideas

In 1961, Audrey married Denis Barker, who was also an artist and teacher. They moved to Cumberland. Audrey started teaching at the University of Newcastle and the Carlisle College of Art.

During this time, she began to create special art pieces. She called these "environments" or "compartmented assemblages." These were like big art setups that people could walk through or interact with. She even invited performers and poets, like Adrian Henri, to join her art events.

One of her unique "compartmented assemblages" won an award in 1964. However, her art was very new and different. The people at Carlisle College thought it was too unusual, so they let her go from her teaching job.

Art and Accessibility

After a short time working with artist Joseph Cornell in New York in 1966, Audrey had an exhibition. In late 1967, she shared a show with Sylvester Houédard at the Lisson Gallery. Here, she showed more of her assemblages, some displayed in special trays.

During the 1970s, Audrey faced more health issues. This meant she couldn't create as much art. She and her husband started a business called Barkers of Lanercost. They made historical dolls, soft toys, and copies of items from the Roman fort at Vindolanda.

They bought and fixed up an old mill building in Lanercost. They turned it into a small arts center. This center also provided a workspace for people with disabilities.

Pioneering Disability Access in Art

In the late 1980s and early 1990s, Audrey Barker started creating new art. These were "multisensory installations." They were designed to explore ideas about disability and how to make art accessible for everyone. This meant art that people could experience with more than just their eyes.

Her biggest project was the Festival of the Five Senses in 1989. This huge art event took over a leisure center in Hexham. It featured many artists, actors, and musicians. Large crowds came to experience it.

The Institute of Contemporary Arts in London wanted to host her work. But Audrey said no. The space they offered was not fully accessible for people with disabilities. Her last installation was Art: An Illusion at the Keswick Art Gallery in 2000.

In 1993, the Arts Council gave Audrey an award. It was a "women of the decade" award for her important work. This award recognized her efforts in connecting disabilities with the arts.