Black is the new Black: Portraits by Simon Frederick
Black is the New Black brings together exceptional figures from the world of politics, business, culture, religion and science to celebrate black British achievement today.
Artist and director Simon Frederick photographed sitters ranging from Naomi Campbell, Sir Trevor McDonald and Thandie Newton to musician Jazzie B of Soul II Soul and footballer Les Ferdinand, to recognise the profound impact of black individuals on British culture. The portraits were made as part of Frederick’s acclaimed BBC Two documentary series of 2016 on black culture in modern Britain.
This display celebrates their acquisition as the largest group of portraits of Afro-Caribbean sitters into the National Portrait Gallery’s Collection.
About the artist:
Self-taught artist, photographer, filmmaker and broadcaster Simon Frederick was born in London to Grenadian parents. His multidisciplinary work seeks to explore society, culture and human nature. He has produced and directed the award-winning documentary series Black is the New Black (2016) and They’ve Gotta Have Us (2018), which features notable black artists in cinema today. Frederick served as a judge on the Sky Arts series Master of Photography and has been profiled as one of 2018’s 100 ‘Most Influential Black Britons’ in the category of Media, Publishing and Entertainment.
Visit the National Portrait Gallery’s webiste for more information on the exhibition and public programme.
Black is the new Black: Portraits by Simon Frederick
29 September 2018 – 27 January 2019
National Portrait Gallery
Room 33, Floor 1
St Martin’s Place
London, WC2H 0HE
UK
Free entrance
eye.on.art 