‘Black is the New Black’ To Reside At The National Portrait Gallery
A big move in the right direction has been made by the National Portrait Gallery.
A series of portraits of thirty-seven Black & Great Britons will have permanent residence at the National Portrait gallery as part of the largest acquisition of portraits of Afro-Caribbean sitters into the primary collection. The ‘Black is the new Black’ series by creator, producer and director Simon Frederick, was originally featured on BBC Two’s ‘Black and British’ documentary last November.
I guess there is truth to the saying “take a picture or it didn’t happen”. Now these stories which are to be archived, will be told through portrait, on public display. Not just for a one time Black History Month feauture, but for good.
The faces of the influential and inspiring black leaders include: Dizzee Rascal, Laura Mvula, Edward Enninful MBE, Ozwald Boateng, Naomi Campbell, David Adjaye MBE, Lenny Henry and the national storyteller that is Sir Trevor McDonald.
This permanent instalment will be the largest group of Afro-Caribbean portraits to be showcased. Finally, a wealth of black excellence, that will be preserved for generations to come. Artists, creators, musicians, innovators recognised as not only black but British.
