Hold Still image to be exhibited in National Portrait Gallery this summer

I’m so excited to announce that one of my photographs will be exhibited as part of the Hold Still project: Capturing the spirit of a nation under lockdown, a new exhibition at the National Portrait Gallery re-opening on 22nd June. ⁣

In celebration, for the first time I’m offering this print for sale,

So if you want to own a piece of lockdown history, head to Print Shop here: https://printshop.rebeccadouglas.co.uk/…/holdstillnatio…

As always, sustainably created at a carbon neutral lab on fine art matt paper made from bamboo and 10% of proceeds are donated to Marine Conservation Society.

And now for some background to the journey this image has been on since 2020!

People from across the UK were asked to submit photographs they felt had greatest resonance for them in recording their world and the world around them during the pandemic. Three key themes brought together bravery, kindness and a sense of finding new routines for daily life when the old ones were no longer feasible.

The image was selected by gallery director Nicholas Cullinan as ‘Director’s Choice’ and he said ‘Such a striking and singular image from lockdown which evocatively captures the sense of isolation we have all experienced in one way or another.’

The images went on to be exhibited nationally in towns and cities on billboards and were shown in a digital exhibition in the grounds at the National Memorial Arboretum.

A book entitled ‘Hold Still’ was created and became an Amazon and Times No 1 Best Seller.

The National Portrait Gallery acquired the images to form part of the national archive and will be part of their reopening exhibition in 2023, following 3 years of extensive renovations.

In celebration, for the first time I’m offering this print for sale, via my online Print Shop. ⁣

This photo forms part of a series I captured entitled ‘Lockdown Life’, honestly documenting life in lockdown in 2020. A moment in time, which saw everyone united in staying at home, holding still.

So many moments in life are still happening in these places we call home and this project looked to explore and capture this.

Shoots were no more than 5 minutes and captured at a social distance. This image in particular has always felt iconic to me. I adore the architecture of Arlington House in Margate, and for me it really symbolised the solitude and stillness of lockdown in Thanet, East Kent.

This image was a logistically interesting one to create, taken from over 200m away, texting Paul and Simon to come to the window of their fifteenth floor home. I often think about how we gaze upon a photo and the narrative it sparks in our minds. Most of all here, I think about what the perspective must have been like for Paul and Simon, looking out across an empty beach and quiet roads in Margate.

I have been absolutely blown away and humbled to see this journey unfold and it is a total honour to have one of my images included in this powerful and emotive collection of images.

I can’t wait to see it in the gallery!

For more about this image and the Hold Still journey – click here.