The latest Portrait of Britain prize has chosen a diverse and empathetic array of captivating shots. These images, some of which exhibit a warm and uplifting snapshot of Jessikah Inaba, the UK’s first Black and blind female barrister, and an atmospheric capture of a young footballer after training, will be display on digital screens across the UK. Photographers submitted these pictures to the Portrait of Britain competition in 2023 but the winning entries are now being unveiled to the public.
David McEvoy, representing JCDecaux which is responsible for displaying the images, described the collection as a “joyous, inclusive and thought-provoking celebration of what it means to live in Britain today”. The display, which includes the work of some of the best portrait photographers in the country, will transform digital screens across the UK into a national portrait gallery.
One of the photographs receiving particular attention was “Vernon ‘The Entertainer’ Vanriel” by Sean Anthony (London). It features a former professional boxer who was disqualified from re-entering Britain after visiting Jamaica. As a result, he became homeless for ten years, destitute, alone, and without access to the necessary healthcare. Despite these challenges, he continued to fight, eventually taking the British government to court, in a landmark case that achieved justice for himself and countless other victims of the Windrush scandal.
Other winning images include a self-portrait by Kristina Varaksina (London), which features her pregnant and in transition as she notes the changes in her mind and body. A shot of European Triathlon Champion Daphne Belt by Lisa Doyle (West Sussex) was also on display, as the athlete hoped to inspire others in her age group to follow her footsteps. Meanwhile, photographer Jim Fenwick (London) captured a debrief at a Boy’s Football Development Programme run by Brentford FC Community Sports Trust in “Football Player After Training”.
Through these captivating images, viewers witness the incredible resilience, diversity, and beauty of Britain and its people. The Portrait of Britain prize, which inspires such artists to capture these moments, remains a medium through which we can all appreciate this wondrous country’s essence
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