Press Release

27 March 2008

'WANT TO SEE MORE OF ME?' BLACK FILM ACTORS BY DONALD MACLELLAN
25 April - 7 September 2008
Room 38a. Free admission.

'Want to see more of me?' is a striking new series of portraits of talented and successful black British film actors by photographer Donald MacLellan, funded by the UK Film Council.

A dynamic group of images, opulent and rich in colour, 'Want to see more of me?' celebrates both individual and collective achievement and contributes to debates around diversity, on-screen representation, content and portrayal. Sitters include Colin Salmon, Adrian Lester, Ashley Walters, Mona Hammond, Sophie Okonedo and Chiwetel Ejiofor.

MacLellan is an established portrait photographer, whose images have appeared regularly in national and international magazines over the past fifteen years. His portfolio includes leading figures across the arts and entertainment industries such as John Hurt, Tilda Swinton, Benjamin Zephaniah and Ewan McGregor. He has had many commissions for book jackets and record covers along with numerous advertising and design commissions.

'Want to see more of me?' is the third project by Donald MacLellan to be exhibited at the National Portrait Gallery, having previously shown Black Power in 1998 and Tartan Army in 2000. In addition, a number of his works are held in the Gallery's Photographic Collection.

On this new series of portraits MacLellan comments: 'I did a number of test shots which helped me determine the look of the series and I knew I wanted a good cross section of well established actors, new comers and those who are in the later stages of their career'.

The UK Film Council is the Government-backed lead agency for film in the UK. The Council aims to stimulate a successful, vibrant film industry and to promote the widest possible enjoyment and understanding of British and World cinema throughout the UK. Through the Leadership on Diversity Forum, the Council has formed a strategic partnership of 21 lead industry bodies, who in turn have adopted its Equalities Charter for Film. 'Want to see more of me?' is funded by the UK Film Council as part of its drive to ensure people from all backgrounds can thrive and achieve their potential in the film industry.

John Woodward, Chief Executive Officer of the UK Film Council said: 'The UK Film Council is delighted to be partnering with the National Portrait Gallery on the 'Want to see more of me?' project. We want to stimulate debate about on-screen diversity and we think that celebrating some of the UK's most successful black actors is a brilliant reminder of what is possible.'

For further press information and image requests please contact:

Catherine Bromley, Press Office, National Portrait Gallery Tel: 020 7321 6620 (not for publication) Email: cbromley@npg.org.uk
To download images: www.npg.org.uk/press

UK Film Council press office, 020 7861 7508; press@ukfilmcouncil.org.uk

Notes to Editors:

The actors photographed by Donald MacLellan for 'Want to see more of me?' are: Abdul Salis, Adrian Lester, Ashley Walters, Claire-Hope Ashitey, Colin Salmon, David Harewood, David Oyelowo, Don Warrington, Earl Cameron, Kwame Kwei-Armah, Lennie James, Marianne Jean-Baptiste, Marsha Thomason, Mona Hammond, Naomie Harris, Nikki Amuka Bird, Noel Clarke, Paul Barber, Ray Fearon, Robbie Gee, Shaun Parkes, Sophie Okonedo, Vas Blackwood, Chiwetel Ejiofor and Julie Stewart.

The portraits were shot on a Hasselblad 503 with a CFV digital back. The images were captured on a sandisk card, processed in Flexcolor, retouched in Photoshop and printed on Photo rag fine art inkjet paper.
'Want to see more of me?' is a 'Leadership on Diversity' initiative under the Equalities Charter for Film funded by the UK Film Council www.diversityinfilm.org.uk for more information about this project or the Diversity Department contact Meriel Watkins 020 7861 7956 meriel.watkins@ukfilmcouncil.org.uk

The UK Film Council is the lead agency for film in the UK ensuring that the economic, cultural and educational aspects of film are effectively represented at home and abroad. We invest Government grant-in-aid and Lottery money in film development and production; training; international development and export promotion; distribution and exhibition; and education. www.ukfilmcouncil.org.uk

A portfolio of work by Donald MacLellan can be viewed at: www.donny-bygosh.com

National Portrait Gallery opening hours Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Saturday, Sunday: 10am- 6pm (Gallery closure commences at 5.50pm) Late Opening: Thursday, Friday: 10am- 9pm (Gallery closure commences at 8.50pm) Nearest Underground: Leicester Square/Charing Cross Recorded information: 020 7312 2463 General information: 020 7306 0055 Website: www.npg.org.uk

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All images and text are subject to copyright protection. 04 December 2008