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Hold Still: A Portrait of Our Nation in 2020


97 Portraits in set

Spearheaded by The Duchess of Cambridge, Patron of the National Portrait Gallery, Hold Still was an ambitious community project 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 2020, 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. The final 100 portraits 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.

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'I-Spy' (Arlo Prys Roberts), by Rory Trappe - NPG x201468

'I-Spy' (Arlo Prys Roberts)

by Rory Trappe
digital image file, 25th May 2020
NPG x201468

'Mum's 100th Birthday Lockdown Chat' (Peggy Lush), by Anita Reilly - NPG x201481

'Mum's 100th Birthday Lockdown Chat' (Peggy Lush)

by Anita Reilly
digital image file, 21st April 2020
NPG x201481

'A Cup of Tea Always Brings a Smile' (Steven Baker), by Annette Baker - NPG x201445

'A Cup of Tea Always Brings a Smile' (Steven Baker)

by Annette Baker
digital image file, 8th May 2020
NPG x201445

'Over the Rainbow' (Students of Sheringham Primary School), by Chris Taylor - NPG x201458

'Over the Rainbow' (Students of Sheringham Primary School)

by Chris Taylor
digital image file, 9th April 2020
NPG x201458

'Essential' (David Farrell), by Christopher Cox - NPG x201416

'Essential' (David Farrell)

by Christopher Cox
digital image file, 7th May 2020
NPG x201416

'Higher Learning' (Kayden Baker), by Claudia Burton - NPG x201500

'Higher Learning' (Kayden Baker)

by Claudia Burton
digital image file, June 2020
NPG x201500

'Through the Window' (Barbara Airey), by Claudia Minchin - NPG x201413

'Through the Window' (Barbara Airey)

by Claudia Minchin
digital image file, 21st March 2020
NPG x201413

'Making Bread' (James Webb; Jacob Webb), by James Webb - NPG x201409

'Making Bread' (James Webb; Jacob Webb)

by James Webb
digital image file, 10th May 2020
NPG x201409

'Home Hair' (Saul Freed; Teo Freed-Arieli), by Karni Arieli - NPG x201424

'Home Hair' (Saul Freed; Teo Freed-Arieli)

by Karni Arieli
digital image file, 2020
NPG x201424

'Cancelled' (Romy McCarthy), by Niaz Maleknia - NPG x201455

'Cancelled' (Romy McCarthy)

by Niaz Maleknia
digital image file, June 2020
NPG x201455

'In Family We Trust' (Michael Csaplar), by Nina Robinson - NPG x201494

'In Family We Trust' (Michael Csaplar)

by Nina Robinson
digital image file, 15th June 2020
NPG x201494

'The Gardener' (Martin Costard), by Phoebe Costard - NPG x201491

'The Gardener' (Martin Costard)

by Phoebe Costard
digital image file, April 2020
NPG x201491

'Birthday Lockdown' (Jude Scarfe; Rachel Scarfe; Daisy Scarfe), by Kate Sargent, and  Rachel Scarfe - NPG x201461

'Birthday Lockdown' (Jude Scarfe; Rachel Scarfe; Daisy Scarfe)

by Kate Sargent, and Rachel Scarfe
digital image file, 20th May 2020
NPG x201461

'Biba Behind Glass' (Biba Murphy), by Simon Murphy - NPG x201434

'Biba Behind Glass' (Biba Murphy)

by Simon Murphy
digital image file, 2020
NPG x201434

'Clapping Together for the NHS' (Gladys Boles; Jack Boles), by Tricia Gilmore - NPG x201426

'Clapping Together for the NHS' (Gladys Boles; Jack Boles)

by Tricia Gilmore
digital image file, 7th May 2020
NPG x201426

'Glass Kisses' (Jaxon; Elizabeth Garrett), by Steph James - NPG x201401

'Glass Kisses' (Jaxon; Elizabeth Garrett)

by Steph James
digital image file, 5th May 2020
NPG x201401

'Outdoor Space' (Shanisha Eriemo; Talia Eriemo), by Val Azisi - NPG x201456

'Outdoor Space' (Shanisha Eriemo; Talia Eriemo)

by Val Azisi
digital image file, 14th April 2020
NPG x201456

'Sami' (Sami Ayad), by Grey Hutton - NPG x201488

'Sami' (Sami Ayad)

by Grey Hutton
digital image file, 6th April 2020
NPG x201488

'Distanced Gaming' (Freya Philbey-Heeg; Linda Philbey), by Tracey Philbey - NPG x201447

'Distanced Gaming' (Freya Philbey-Heeg; Linda Philbey)

by Tracey Philbey
digital image file, 1st May 2020
NPG x201447

'Justin, from the Outside In' (Justin Schlicht), by Sara Lincoln - NPG x201442

'Justin, from the Outside In' (Justin Schlicht)

by Sara Lincoln
digital image file, 5th May 2020
NPG x201442

'School' (Doreen Vicente; Mwene-Obadia Vicente), by Marcela Vicente - NPG x201469

'School' (Doreen Vicente; Mwene-Obadia Vicente)

by Marcela Vicente
digital image file, 9th June 2020
NPG x201469

'PPE Volunteer' (Bryony Phipps-Wardle), by Joe Newman - NPG x201496

'PPE Volunteer' (Bryony Phipps-Wardle)

by Joe Newman
digital image file, 2020
NPG x201496

'Our Hero's Surprise Return!' (Rory Norfolk; Jonathan Norfolk), by Jenni Norfolk - NPG x201467

'Our Hero's Surprise Return!' (Rory Norfolk; Jonathan Norfolk)

by Jenni Norfolk
digital image file, 14th June 2020
NPG x201467

'Granny's 90th' (Bethany Knight; Elizabeth Willcocks), by Georgia Koronka - NPG x201432

'Granny's 90th' (Bethany Knight; Elizabeth Willcocks)

by Georgia Koronka
digital image file, 1st May 2020
NPG x201432

'Virtual Hug' (Daphney Rose Wilson), by Michael Harris Wilson, and  Daphney Rose Wilson - NPG x201495

'Virtual Hug' (Daphney Rose Wilson)

by Michael Harris Wilson, and Daphney Rose Wilson
digital image file, 14th June 2020
NPG x201495

'Mick and Mavis' (Mick Fox; Mavis Fox), by Chris Frazer Smith - NPG x201487

'Mick and Mavis' (Mick Fox; Mavis Fox)

by Chris Frazer Smith
digital image file, 8th May 2020
NPG x201487

'The First Kiss' (Ali Harris; Indy Leigh Harris), by Leigh Harris, and  Ali Harris - NPG x201431

'The First Kiss' (Ali Harris; Indy Leigh Harris)

by Leigh Harris, and Ali Harris
digital image file, 28th May 2020
NPG x201431

'Laura' (Laura Brosnan), by Fran Monks - NPG x201441

'Laura' (Laura Brosnan)

by Fran Monks
digital image file, 20th April 2020
NPG x201441

'Behind Closed Doors' (Anna Ireland), by Alexander Scott - NPG x201486

'Behind Closed Doors' (Anna Ireland)

by Alexander Scott
digital image file, 31st May 2020
NPG x201486

'Joanna in PPE' (Joanna May Wilson), by Harry George Hall - NPG x201453

'Joanna in PPE' (Joanna May Wilson)

by Harry George Hall
digital image file, March 2020
NPG x201453

'haPPE' (Sanjay Kalra; Mihir Trivedy), by Imogen Johnston - NPG x201448

'haPPE' (Sanjay Kalra; Mihir Trivedy)

by Imogen Johnston
digital image file, 2020
NPG x201448

'The Struggle' (Franchesca Cully), by Joy Skelton - NPG x201482

'The Struggle' (Franchesca Cully)

by Joy Skelton
digital image file, 2020
NPG x201482

'Holding Tight' (Wilf Wyer; Katy Rudd), by Joseph Wyer - NPG x201464

'Holding Tight' (Wilf Wyer; Katy Rudd)

by Joseph Wyer
digital image file, 8th May 2020
NPG x201464

'Shielding Mila' (Scott Sneddon; Mila Sneddon), by Lynda Sneddon - NPG x201415

'Shielding Mila' (Scott Sneddon; Mila Sneddon)

by Lynda Sneddon
digital image file, 20th March 2020
NPG x201415

'Behind the Glass' (P. Fogg), by Lyndsey Adams - NPG x201425

'Behind the Glass' (P. Fogg)

by Lyndsey Adams
digital image file, 2020
NPG x201425

'Never Without Her Grandma' (Millie Lowis), by Melanie Lowis - NPG x201475

'Never Without Her Grandma' (Millie Lowis)

by Melanie Lowis
digital image file, 5th June 2020
NPG x201475

'Ilaw ng Tahanan' (Irene Rabe), by Romina Amor Rabe - NPG x201459

'Ilaw ng Tahanan' (Irene Rabe)

by Romina Amor Rabe
digital image file, 2nd April 2020
NPG x201459

'Last Precious Moments' (Sue Hicks; Clive Hicks; Phil Hillier), by Kris Tanyag, and  Sue Hicks - NPG x201419

'Last Precious Moments' (Sue Hicks; Clive Hicks; Phil Hillier)

by Kris Tanyag, and Sue Hicks
digital image file, 11th April 2020
NPG x201419

'Street Artist at Work' (Jude McNamara-Stokes), by Victoria Stokes - NPG x201444

'Street Artist at Work' (Jude McNamara-Stokes)

by Victoria Stokes
digital image file, 20th April 2020
NPG x201444

'Thank You' (Amelia May Huson), by Wendy Huson - NPG x201427

'Thank You' (Amelia May Huson)

by Wendy Huson
digital image file, 12th May 2020
NPG x201427

'Everyday Hero' (Richard Sullivan), by Arnhel de Serra - NPG x201477

'Everyday Hero' (Richard Sullivan)

by Arnhel de Serra
digital image file, 11th June 2020
NPG x201477

'From One Frontline To Another...' (Dave Thorpe), by Steve Jenkins - NPG x201473

'From One Frontline To Another...' (Dave Thorpe)

by Steve Jenkins
digital image file, 17th June 2020
NPG x201473

'Just One More Night Shift' (Samuel Bache), by Angharad Bache - NPG x201423

'Just One More Night Shift' (Samuel Bache)

by Angharad Bache
digital image file, 8th May 2020
NPG x201423

'Care Worker' (Fabiana Connors; Jack Hornsby), by Karwai Tang - NPG x201411

'Care Worker' (Fabiana Connors; Jack Hornsby)

by Karwai Tang
digital image file, 3rd May 2020
NPG x201411

'Forever Holding Hands' (Ronald Wood; Patricia Wood), by Hayley Evans - NPG x201484

'Forever Holding Hands' (Ronald Wood; Patricia Wood)

by Hayley Evans
digital image file, 14th May 2020
NPG x201484

'Lockdown Life - Paul & Simon' (Paul Lloyd Johnson; Simon Hiller), by Rebecca Douglas - NPG x201463

'Lockdown Life - Paul & Simon' (Paul Lloyd Johnson; Simon Hiller)

by Rebecca Douglas
digital image file, 30th April 2020
NPG x201463

'Neil & Sienna' (Neil Cagney; Sienna Cagney), by Lisa Bennett - NPG x201474

'Neil & Sienna' (Neil Cagney; Sienna Cagney)

by Lisa Bennett
digital image file, 22nd May 2020
NPG x201474