14 September 2020

Congratulations to members Chris Frazer Smith who's portrait of Mick & Mavis and Arnhel de Serra whose images have been chosen as part of the 100 images included in the 100 #holdstill 2020 digital exhibition from the National Portrait Gallery.

© Chris Frazer Smith. Mick & Mavis.

Spearheaded by The Duchess of Cambridge, Patron of the National Portrait Gallery, Hold Still is an ambitious community project which was launched in May 2020 to create a unique collective portrait of the UK during lockdown. We invited people of all ages to submit a photographic portrait, taken in a six-week period during May and June, focussed on three core themes – Helpers and Heroes, Your New Normal and Acts of Kindness.  Over 31,000 submissions were received from across the country, with entrants ranging from 4 to 75 years-old. From these, a panel of judges selected 100 portraits, assessing the images on the emotions and experiences they conveyed.

© Arnhel de Serra

Featured in this special digital exhibition, the final 100 present a unique and highly personal record of this extraordinary period in our history. From virtual birthday parties, handmade rainbows and community clapping to brave NHS staff, resilient  keyworkers and people dealing with illness, isolation and loss. The images convey humour and grief, creativity and kindness, tragedy and hope – expressing and exploring both our shared and individual experiences.

View the exhibition here