Jack Arts
National Portrait Gallery: Six Lives
In the first exhibition of historic portraiture since opening, the National Portrait Gallery presents the (occasionally short) lives and legacies of Henry VIII’s wives. Six Lives portrays some of the most influential and fascinating women from British history; from paintings and drawings to costume and film, visitors are invited to compare Tudor paintings by Hans Holbein the Younger with contemporary photography by Hiroshi Sugimoto and delve into the wives’ complex histories and lasting impact on popular culture.
In a campaign that represents the merging of traditional and contemporary, the six wives of Henry VIII were transported to London’s Waterloo Station in an immersive activation. The interactive stunt saw the wives’ come alive in full Tudor outfits and interact with the public, hand out exhibition fliers and uneasily try out the escalator. The stunt engaged the passing public with a recognisable portion of British history and was backdropped with exhibition branding providing the perfect photo op for the many families and tourists passing thorough. The stunt generated much buzz and excitement in the busy station, before the wives returned to the Gallery and their retrospective portraits.