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Hold Still: A Portrait of Our Nation in 2020


96 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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'Isolated Together' (Susan Timmis; Ben Timmis), by Ben Timmis - NPG x201466

'Isolated Together' (Susan Timmis; Ben Timmis)

by Ben Timmis
digital image file, 2020
NPG x201466

'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

'In the Workroom of Suzanna and Florence Sweryda' (Florence Sweryda; Suzanna Sweryda), by Alun Callender - NPG x201483

'In the Workroom of Suzanna and Florence Sweryda' (Florence Sweryda; Suzanna Sweryda)

by Alun Callender
digital image file, 12th June 2020
NPG x201483

'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

'Franck’s Fight' (Kirsty Shanley; Paul Hewitt; Franck Hewitt; Jaydene Davies), by Anna Hewitt - NPG x201437

'Franck’s Fight' (Kirsty Shanley; Paul Hewitt; Franck Hewitt; Jaydene Davies)

by Anna Hewitt
digital image file, 3rd April 2020
NPG x201437

'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

'Tony Hudgell's 10k Walk for Evelina London' (Tony Hudgell), by David Tett - NPG x201443

'Tony Hudgell's 10k Walk for Evelina London' (Tony Hudgell)

by David Tett
digital image file, 11th June 2020
NPG x201443

'Lockdown Wedding' (William Llande; Evelyn Llande; Jesse Llande; Donna Duke-Llande), by Donna Duke-Llande - NPG x201439

'Lockdown Wedding' (William Llande; Evelyn Llande; Jesse Llande; Donna Duke-Llande)

by Donna Duke-Llande
digital image file, 11th April 2020
NPG x201439

'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

'Bedtime Stories with Grandma' (Jacqueline Farley; Isobel Macey), by Laura Macey - NPG x201449

'Bedtime Stories with Grandma' (Jacqueline Farley; Isobel Macey)

by Laura Macey
digital image file, 11th April 2020
NPG x201449

'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

'Joe and Duke Brooks, locked down, a few days before their 18th birthday' (Joe Brooks; Duke Brooks), by Sarah Lee - NPG x201471

'Joe and Duke Brooks, locked down, a few days before their 18th birthday' (Joe Brooks; Duke Brooks)

by Sarah Lee
digital image file, 12th May 2020
NPG x201471