Partnership sees students’ photos
displayed at National Portrait Gallery

Portraits by second-year BA (Hons) Photography students from the University for the Creative Arts (UCA) are being exhibited at the National Portrait Gallery as part of a new photography display – Photo Portrait Now – on show between now and 8 September 2024.

20 May 2024

Portraits by second-year BA (Hons) Photography students from the University for the Creative Arts (UCA) are being exhibited at the National Portrait Gallery as part of a new photography display – Photo Portrait Now – on show between now and 8 September 2024.

Challenging concepts of place, community, relationships and belonging, the exhibited portraits delve into life in Britain today, taking inspiration from portraits exhibited in this year’s Taylor Wessing Photo Portrait Prize – the gallery’s annual photography competition.

The UCA portraits will all be digitally shown in the exhibition, while a portrait by one of the students, Michael Togher-Prescott, was selected to be highlighted and has been printed for display. In a Q&A panel event at the launch of the exhibition, Michael said:

“When I shot this [portrait] it was a spur-of-the-moment kind of thing. I often have a roll of film in the camera until I see something I like or see little moments that resonate.

“This portrait was taken quite late, just before going to bed, it was a quiet moment, and it felt very intimate. It is not very complicated or heavily researched, but for me, there is no one I’d want to portray more.”

Clare Freestone, Curator of Photography at the National Portrait Gallery, said: “It’s been a pleasure to work so closely with staff and students from UCA as part of Photo Portrait Now, and I’ve been incredibly impressed by the professionalism shown by all of the participating students over the year.

“Inspiring the next generation of world-class photographers, Photo Portrait Now has provided opportunities for talented groups of young people to exhibit at the National Portrait Gallery, network and connect with industry leaders, supporting their pursuit of creative careers.”

The display is the culmination of a year-long higher education partnership programme that has brought together gallery curators, leading contemporary photographers and second-year photography students from five universities across England and Wales (Arts University Bournemouth, London South Bank University, University of the Creative Arts, University of Plymouth and the University of South Wales ) to foster new creative talent in the genre.

Visit our website to learn more about studying photography at UCA.