Exhibitions.

We proudly present a collection of Vanley Burke's most recent exhibitions, as well as a remarkable journey through his solo and group exhibitions spanning back to 1979.

Recent exhibitions:

Between Two Worlds: Vanley Burke and Francis Williams
Between Two Worlds: Vanley Burke and Francis Williams
Between Two Worlds: Vanley Burke and Francis Williams

Between Two Worlds

V&A South Kensington, London 2023

Step into the world of Windrush at V&A South Kensington and discover the remarkable portraits of two Jamaican gentlemen scholars. Vanley Burke's powerful photography and archival treasures, combined with historical artefacts and scientific images, unveil fresh insights into the Williams painting, prompting contemplation on identity quests and the enduring legacy of colonialism. Immerse yourself in this extraordinary exhibition today.

Curated by Dr Christine Checinska, Senior Curator - Africa and Diaspora.

Closes Sunday, 31 December 2023

More information available from Victoria & Albert Museum


Recent exhibitions:

A Gift to Birmingham

A Gift To Birmingham

The Exchange, Birmingham 2023

Step into the world of Windrush at V&A South Kensington and discover the remarkable portraits of two Jamaican gentlemen scholars. Vanley Burke's powerful photography and archival treasures, combined with historical artefacts and scientific images, unveil fresh insights into the Williams painting, prompting contemplation on identity quests and the enduring legacy of colonialism. Immerse yourself in this extraordinary exhibition today.

In partnership with the Ikon Gallery, University of Birmingham and Migrant Voices.

Closes Sunday, 16th September 2023

More information available from Ikon Gallery


Current exhibitions.

Solo exhibitions

  • Between Two Worlds. (2023) V&A South Kensington, London.

    A Gift to Birmingham. (2023) Ikon Gallery, Birmingham. University of Birmingham, Birmingham.

    Leaning into the Wind. (2023) Library of Birmingham, Birmingham.

    Blood & Fire: Our Journey Through Vanley Burke's History. (2022) Soho House Museum, Birmingham.

    Council of Voices. (2021) Art House, Worcester.

    Home. (2020) Birmingham Hippodrome, Birmingham.

  • At Home With Vanley Burke. (2015) Ikon Gallery, Birmingham.

  • Handsworth Culture Swap with Burke. (2013) Soho House, Birmingham.

    By the Rivers of Birminam. (2012) MAC, Birmingham.

  • Sugar Coated Tears. (2007) Wolverhampton Museum and Art Gallery, Wolverhampton.

    Schools, Colleges, Pubs and Church. (2006) Handsworth Park, Birmingham.

  • Living Through. (2004) Optima Housing Association, Birmingham.

    Moving Home. (2004) Light House Media Centre, Wolverhampton.

    INVISIBLE: Identity, Disability, Culture Somaliland. (2004) Birmingham Central Library, Birmingham.

    Redemptions Songs. (2002), Symphony Hall, Birmingham.

  • Five Years = A Life Time (1998) EMACA Nottingham, Nottingham Playhouse, Nottingham.

    Nkunzi – Photographs of Birmingham and South Africa. (1998) Soho House, Birmingham.

  • The Journey. (1994) Walsall Art Gallery, Walsall, Watershed, Bristol.

    No Time for Flowers. (1991) Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery, Birmingham, Coventry Museum and Art Gallery, Coventry. Black Art Gallery, London.

    Racism in Our Cities. (1991) Peterborough Arts Council, Peterborough.

  • Sundays are Bloody Awful. (1987) MAC, Birmingham.

    Carnival in Exile. (1987) The Cave, Birmingham.

    Connections. (1986) Open Eye Gallery, Liverpool.

    The World in Wolverhampton. (1986) Wolverhampton Museum and Art Gallery, Wolverhampton.

  • Handsworth from inside. (1983) Commonwealth Institute, Black Art Gallery, London.

Group exhibitions

  • The Missing Thread. (2023) Somerset House, London.

    Portraiture and the Human Figure. (2023) Museums Sheffield, Graves Gallery., Sheffield.

    As We Rise: Photography From The Black Atlantic. (2023) The Polygon Gallery, Canada.

    Seen not heard, photographs of children, 1865–2023. (2023) Atlas Gallery, London.

    Rebellion to Romance. (2022) Leeds Central Library, Leeds.

    We’re Not Just Passing Through… (2022) Aberystwyth Arts Centre, Aberystwyth University, Wales.

    The Black Triangle. (2022) Atlas Gallery, London.

    Captured Beauty. (2022) Newlyn Art Gallery, Penzance.

    Coventry Biennial 2021: HYPER-POSSIBLE. (2021) The Herbert Art Gallery & Museum, Coventry.

    War Inna Babylon: The Community’s Struggle for Truths and Rights. (2021) ICA Institute of Contemporary Arts, London.

    The Butterfly Effect. (2021) Midlands Arts Centre, Birmingham.

    Portals. (2021) Eastside Projects, Birmingham.

    Birmingham Revolutions: Power to the People. (2021) Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery, Birmingham.

    Seaside: Photographed. (2021) The Exchange, Penzance.

    Birmingham Revolutions: Power to the People. (2021) Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery, Birmingham.

    Life Between Islands: Caribbean-British Art 1950s–Now. (2021) Tate Britain, London.

    When We Worked at Raleigh. (2021) Nottingham Black Archive. New Art Exchange, Nottingham.

    Don't Blame the Blacks. (2021) Nottingham Castle, Nottingham.

  • Super Black. (2020) Firstsite, Colchester.

    Dressed to the Nines. (2020) Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery, Birmingham.

    Get Up, Stand Up Now. (2019) Somerset House, London.

    The Place is Here. (2017) Nottingham Contemporary, Nottingham.

    Seaside: Photographed. (2017) Turner Contemporary, Margate.

    Britain in Focus: A Photographic History. (2017) National Media Museum, Bradford.

  • The Meaning of Style: Black British Style, and the underlying political and social environment. (2010) New Art Exchange, Nottingham.

    No Such Thing As Society. Photography in Britain 1967-87. (2008) Hayward Gallery, London. Touring exhibition.

    Black Style. (2007) Victoria and Albert Museum, London. Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery Waterhall, Birmingham.

    Centre of the Creative Universe. (2007) Tate Liverpool, Liverpool.

    How Are We, Photography in Britain from 1840s to the present. (2007) Tate Britain, London.

    The West Indian Front Room. (2006) Geffrye Museum, London.

    Back to Black. (2005) Walsall Art Gallery, Walsall. White Chapel Art Gallery, London.

    Art Theorema. (2004) Imago Mundi, Italy.

Would you like to know more about booking or touring an exhibition!