Underexposed: photographs by Franklyn Rodgers

1 April - 8 June 2008
Main Hall

Angela Wynter, 2007
by Franklyn Rodgers

Eamonn Walker, 2007
by Franklyn Rodgers

The 4 The Record Initiative was set up to address issues of cultural diversity through innovative and creative partnerships and interventions. The philosophy is to engage as many people as possible with the success stories and experiences of individuals who have played a part in promoting cultural diversity in the United Kingdom. Underexposed is the initiative's response to the necessity of raising the profile and celebrating the immense talent and achievements of black Britons.

In the first in the series of Underexposed artistic interventions and exhibitions, photographer Franklyn Rodgers was commissioned, with the support of Decibel and Arts Council, England, to make portraits of thirty black actors including Earl Cameron, Marianne Jean-Baptiste, Colin Salmon and Ashley Walters. These photographs have been used as the basis of a LCD screen installation featured in the Ondaatje Wing, Main Hall at the National Portrait Gallery. The film loop also contains a personal quote from each sitter that provides an insight into their personal approach towards their life and art.

Franklyn Rodgers has established a reputation for creating striking and unique portraits that explore cross cultural reprentation and identity in an accessible and powerful way. Rodgers was the recipent of a fellowship from NESTA, National Endowment for Science, Technology and the Arts, exploring photographic practice, race and ethnicity. He has exhibited in the UK, Europe and America. His first monograph, The Philosophy of Strangers (2007), presents portraits of artists, writers and cultural commentators.

For more information please see www.4therecord.org.uk

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All images and text are subject to copyright protection. 25 July 2008