For the third year in a row, the British Journal of Photography announces the 100 winners of this year’s Portrait of Britain.
The largest exhibition of contemporary portrait photography ever held not only serves as a celebration of photography but of Britain’s cultural diversity. Created in association with JCDecaux UK news of the winners will be announced at the end of this month.
We all take photographs, whether to document an event or create a touching memory, the increased accessibility of cameras has affected everyone. In the same vein of this accessibility, the winners won’t be displayed in a gallery but will be displayed all over the country. From train stations to high streets the evidence of Britain’s creativity will brighten people’s commutes.
This unique exposure will represent the scale of participants, hailing throughout the country. But that’s not all, the range of these images also represents the diversity of modern Britain highlighting its multiple identities.
Though public figures such as Will Young and Zandra Rhodes find themselves in this year’s selection, the majority of the subjects are everyday people, such as Nick Simpson’s image of The General who he met walking down Holloway Road on an early Saturday morning.
Though the exhibition will be displayed in public places, there is the option to see this year’s shortlist in a new Portrait of Britain book. Following an open call from the British Journal of Photography, Hoxton Mini Press will publish the 200 shortlisted images. The first book to be published from this exhibition will be released on 6th September.
Isaac Dapo Chukwumah By Arabelle Zhuang
Rehabilitating Roy’s Parrot By Alexander Fleming
“Portrait of Britain is public art on a huge scale – a countrywide exhibition that put’s the nation’s citizens centre stage in bustling public spaces, and this year’s submissions made it all the more hard to choose the 100 winning photographers.” Simon Bainbridge, Editorial Director of British Journal of Photography.
“We are delighted to be part of the Portrait of Britain for its third year, tuning our powerful digital channel into a national gallery of portraits. Digital Out of Home’s reach and scale provide the perfect platform to showcase their inspiring and unique exhibition which celebrates multiculturalism and diversity throughout the country” – Dallas Wiles Chief Commercial Officer at JCDecaux.
Mao By Steven Barritt
He calls himself The Light Man By Holly-Marie Cato
From 1st September the images will be available for all to see in train station such as Euston, King’s Cross, Liverpool Street, London Bridge, St. Pancras, Victoria and Waterloo in London, and also in Brighton, Birmingham, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Leeds, Liverpool Lime Street, Manchester Piccadilly, Newcastle, Nottingham, and Sheffield.
Florence Roberts, Hove Promenade, June 2012 By Simon Roberts
Simon by By Eliška Kyselková
As well as major retail and shopping centres such as Bluewater, intu Lakeside, St David’s (Cardiff), Liverpool One, Trinity Leeds, Eldon Square (Newcastle), intu Metrocentre (Newcastle), West Quay (Southampton), Brent Cross (London) and many more.
The 100 winners of Portrait of Britain will be announced 30th August and be displayed from 1st – 30th September.
Words: Eleanor Forrest
Top image: By Samuel McElwee
