Jack Arts

Hold Still: Community photography exhibition

Earlier this year the National Portrait Gallery and the Duchess of Cambridge launched an ambitious community photography project to create a unique collective portrait of the UK during lockdown. The competition invited people of all ages to submit a photographic portrait that captured the spirit of the nation during the coronavirus outbreak.⁠

The competition, entitled ‘Hold Still’, received an overwhelming 31,598 entries, which were whittled down to 100 photographs. With the support of Co-op the project was brought to a wider audience and we are delighted to be a part of the project by showcasing a selection of these powerful, thought-provoking portraits on the streets, nationwide. ⁠

The posters displayed include a selection of finalist works, from strong NHS Staff, and tired key workers to handcrafted rainbows, local heroes and emotional reunions – the portraits explore themes of love, loss, resilience, community, strength and hope, uncovering both our shared and individual experiences of the pandemic. We have displayed these provoking images across our poster sites, within the hearts of our communities nationwide to inspire and console, whilst being reminded of our own mantra, Community Is Kindness.