Duchess of Cambridge launches photography project to capture spirit of lockdown Britain
The Duchess of Cambridge is on the lookout for pictures documenting the best of Britain, from home schooling to the nursing front line
By Hannah Furness,
Royal Correspondent 7 May 2020 • 12:01am
The Duchess of Cambridge has called on Britain to capture photographs of life in lockdown, as she launches a project to document “resilience, bravery and kindness” during coronavirus.
The Duchess is working with the National Portrait Gallery to build a collection of pictures reflecting how the country is coping under Covid-19, from images of the nursing front line to the realities of home schooling.
Inviting submissions from members of the public, she will curate around 100 of the most insightful into an exhibition called Hold Still, intended to “capture the spirit, the mood, the hopes, the fears and the feelings of the nation”.
Launching the project, the Duchess said: “We’ve all been struck by some of the incredible images we’ve seen which have given us an insight into the experiences and stories of people across the country.
“Some desperately sad images showing the human tragedy of this pandemic and other uplifting pictures showing people coming together to support those more vulnerable.
One of the images which inspired the Hold Still project Credit: @ChrisPage90
“Hold Still aims to capture a portrait of the nation, the spirit of the nation, what everyone is going through at this time.
“Photographs reflecting resilience, bravery, kindness – all those things that people are experiencing.”
The Duchess, who is patron of the National Portrait Gallery and a keen amateur photographer herself, is said to have been particularly struck by photographs of grandparents seeing visiting grandchildren through their windows, and the bruised faces of nurses wearing PPE.
One of the images which inspired the Duchess was taken by Telegraph photographer Heathcliff O'Malley in April, showing a masked member of staff at London clothing company holding armfuls of scrubs manufactured quickly for the NHS.
Hold Still is intended to recognise all those staying in lockdown to keep the nation safe under three themes: ‘Helpers and Heroes’; ‘Your New Normal’; and ‘Acts of Kindness’.
Jack Dodsley, 79, with a carer in PPE at Newfield Nursing Home, Sheffield Credit: SWNS
Open to all ages, the project will invite those taking part to write a short submission to go along with their pictures, outlining the emotions behind it.
The Duchess will speak about Hold Still via video on ITV’s This Morning today (thurs). Submissions for Hold Still can be made via www.npg.org.uk before June 18th.
One hundred shortlisted portraits, judged for their content rather than technical skill, will then feature in a digital exhibition, with plans for them to go on physical display in the future.
Workers at a fashion manufacturing site in north London making scrubs for the NHS Credit: Heathcliff O'Malley
Nicholas Cullinan, director of the National Portrait Gallery, said: “Even if we are alone, we can all create something together. We are honoured to partner with The Duchess of Cambridge on the Hold Still project, which will provide an inclusive perspective on, and an important historical record of, these unprecedented times, expressed through the faces of the nation.
“The National Portrait Gallery reflects the history of Britain through the personal stories of the people who have helped to shape it. We are now inviting each and every person, across every city, town, village and home in the UK, to share their portraits with us in this unique collective endeavour.”
