1stAngel & Friends

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

Sophie Okonedo by Donald MacLellan, 2007
Copyright: © Donald MacLellan

‘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.

Robbie Gee by Donald MacLellan, 2007
Copyright: © Donald MacLellan

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.

Marianne Jean-Baptiste by Donald MacLellan, 2007
Copyright: © Donald MacLellan

‘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’.

Kwame Kwei-Armah by Donald MacLellan, 2007
Copyright: © Donald MacLellan

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.’

UNDEREXPOSED: PHOTOGRAPHS BY FRANKLYN RODGERS
4 April - 8 June 2008
Ondaatje Wing Main Hall. Free admission.

Image: Angela Wynter by Franklyn Rodgers
Copyright: Franklyn Rodgers

BLACK BRITISH ACTING TALENT CELEBRATED IN NEW PHOTOGRAPHIC SHOWCASE

The National Portrait Gallery is pleased to announce its participation in the UNDEREXPOSED arts program, part of the 4 The Record Initiative (4TR) created to highlight talent and achievement within the black British community and to bring their work to a wider audience. The main hall of the Ondaatje Wing will host a plasma screen installation, displaying dramatic portraits of thirty black British actors by photographer Franklyn Rodgers, while the wider programme will see UNDEREXPOSED events taking place at multiple sites across London from the beginning of April.

Photographed by Franklyn Rogers in atmospheric tones, bathed in reflective light, the sitters in this unique project urge an engagement with the viewer. The selection of thirty black British actors includes television legend Rudolph Walker (star of Love Thy Neighbour), Academy Award nominee Marianne Jean-Baptiste, acclaimed stage actor David Oyelowo and Idris Elba, star of HBO’s new hit drama, The Wire. Read more

VANITY FAIR PORTRAITS: PHOTOGRAPHS 1913 - 2008
14 February ­ 26 May 2008, £10 Concessions £9/£8, Wolfson Gallery
Press View: Wednesday 13 February 11am-1pm (tour at 11.30am)

Sponsored by Burberry

Spring Season 2008 sponsored by Herbert Smith

- The first exhibition to bring together rare vintage prints with contemporary classics from Vanity Fair and the legendary Condé Nast Archive.
- A photographic history of celebrity portraiture including the works of master photographers, from Edward Steichen and Cecil Beaton to Annie Leibovitz and Mario Testino. Read more