GEISHA

3 April – 10 April 2026

Private View: 3 April, 6pm–8pm

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Seventh Circle Gallery, Digbeth, Birmingham

Sophie Rose Walters has long been fascinated by Japanese culture, but it is the world of the Geisha that has captured her imagination most deeply. Over the past two years, she has developed a body of work that reflects her study, admiration, and evolving understanding of this tradition, exploring both its artistry and its cultural significance through her own contemporary lens.

In this exhibition, Walters presents paintings inspired by individual Geisha she has researched and returned to throughout her practice. Each piece carries its own distinct markers from kimono patterning to symbolic hair ornaments, offering visual cues that speak to different stages of a Geisha’s life and training. As her work has grown, she has expanded into wider narratives, creating new stories and interpretations shaped by her ongoing engagement with the subject.

While traditional depictions of Geisha often rely on muted tones, Walters embraces bold colour and vibrancy, aiming to highlight the beauty, discipline, and resilience of the women who shaped this cultural legacy. Her intention is not only to celebrate their image, but also to acknowledge the dedication and complexity behind the roles they performed.

Through Geisha, Walters invites viewers to step into a world of colour, character, and cultural homage — a vivid catalogue of her artistic development and her deepening connection to the subject.