NPG moment of 2014

The National Portrait Gallery sent a tweet on Christmas Eve asking people who follow them what their most memorable moment was over the past twelve months. It got me thinking about all the different things that took place there and what was my NPG moment of 2014.

The BP Portrait Award and the Taylor Wessing Photographic Portrait Prize were the two big annual events that I had looked forward to. There was also Bailey’s Stardust exhibition and the Snowdon exhibition.

Let us not forget their work with Channel 4 on Grayson Perry: Who Are You? and Sky Arts Portrait Artist of the Year.

Online as well with their A Room of One’s Own competition to accompany the Virginia Woolf exhibition or the Twitter Q&A with Thomas Ganter who was this year’s first prize winner in the BP Portrait Award.

For me the Late Shift screening of Almost Out by Jayne Parker was the one that stood out. It made me view portraiture in a totally fresh way. Even reminiscing about it now reminds me just how thought-provoking it was.

I’m so glad I became one of their members this year.

Susanne du Toit – People

Susanne du Toit - People at Pasmore Gallery

I took time out today to go the exhibition of the 2013 BP Portrait Award winner Susanne du Toit at the Pasmore Gallery in Harrow School.

Those who actually read what I post will know that I said her winning picture of Pieter was not my favourite from last year’s award. But now that I have had a chance to view that piece among a selection of others I am much more impressed than I was a year ago. There is a simplicity to her work which brings out the character of the sitter. I’m really surprised how inspiring this fine collection of portraits is.

If you get a chance, do go and check it out. It is on until 10 December 2014 and the opening times are Monday to Friday 9 am to 6 pm, Saturday 2 to 6 pm and Sunday 2 to 5 pm.