Inspired by sacred geometry
Roots and Lotus is a new solo exhibition by British contemporary artist Robi Walters. Known for transforming discarded materials into vibrant, meticulously constructed works, Walters brings together collage, portraits and drawings in an exhibition that explores his Jamaican and English heritages, alongside his passions for meditation, sacred geometry, and transformation.
Roots and Lotus offers an intimate insight into an artist whose practice is grounded as much in process and personal reflection, as it is in colour and form. It invites viewers to slow down, look closely, and consider the personal histories, influences and experiences that inform Walters’ work.
The exhibition includes previously unseen works, bringing together three strands of Walters’ practice: collage, portraits and drawings. His collages are made from recycled card, including Christmas and birthday cards collected from friends and family. Each piece is hand cut into a petal shape and built into kaleidoscopic mosaics. The slow process puts Walters into a meditative state and reflects his interest in transformation and renewal, with the finished works intended to bring harmony and tranquillity to a space.
His portraits explore how we see and interpret one another. Rather than painting what he sees, Walters paints his interpretation, using bright colours and simple forms to express what he feels about each subject. He embraces a childlike freedom of expression rather than seeking realism or perfection.
The drawings grew from advice from his friend, YBA and Turner Prize winner Chris Ofili,, who encouraged him to draw every day and make the process a habit. The resulting works are an expression of that daily practice, capturing Walters’ instinctive response to the act of drawing.
Meditation has played an important role in his creative life since he began practising in 1999. It informs the contemplative nature of his collage process and his interest in sacred geometry. His visual language also draws from a rich mix of influences. These include London’s graffiti, hip hop, house and rave cultures, as well as graphic design, popular music and contemporary art. Across these influences, Walters explores colour, rhythm, repetition and the relationship between the individual and their surroundings.
Robi Walters said:
“My collages are made from recycled card, mostly Christmas and birthday cards collected from friends and family. I spray the card in the colours I want, hand cut each piece into a petal shape, then build them into kaleidoscopic mosaics, meticulously and by hand.
The process takes a long time and puts me in a meditative state. I make these works to transform discarded and unused materials, and to ask how we might repurpose things in other areas of our lives too. I’m inspired by sacred geometry, and my intention is that once a piece is placed on a wall, it brings harmony and tranquillity to the space.”
Christabel Beddoes, Morley Gallery Curator, said:
“Morley Gallery is proud to present this striking exhibition which is both powerful and relevant. Robi works with such intention, particularly in the histories he chooses to reveal and conceal. I was struck by his use of personal messages from greetings cards. You can feel that the works are charged by something. By someone. By the traces of lives and relationships held within them. For me, this is where Robi’s work becomes particularly moving. He takes something deeply personal and makes space for a collective experience. We may not know the stories hidden within the work, but we can feel that they are there.”
Morley Gallery, 61 Westminster Bridge Road, London SE1.
9th October – 17th October 2026
Mon, Wed, Fri and Sat 12 – 5pm, Tue and Thursday 12- 7pm
