In conversation with the Judges of the Portrait Award

19 Jul 2024 6-7pm

Overview

Join Tom Shakespeare, Russell Tovey and Tanya Bentley, some of the judges of this year’s Herbert Smith Freehills Portrait Award 2024, as they share stories and discuss selected works from this year’s exhibition, marking its return to the National Portrait Gallery. With entrants from all over the world, painting in a multitude of styles, the judges will share behind the scenes insights into the process and considerations when judging one of the most prestigious contemporary portrait competitions internationally.

Russell Tovey is an award winning actor with an extensive background in film, television and theatre. He is also a passionate art collector, and was a judge for the Turner Prize 2021. He co-hosts the art podcast, Talk Art, with friend and gallerist Robert Diament, where they interview leading artists, curators, gallerists, and celebrities.

Tom Shakespeare is professor of Disability Research at London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, appears regularly on Radio 4, and his novel The Ha-ha was published in March 2024. He was formerly a member of Arts Council England.

Tanya Bentley is the Gallery’s Contemporary Curator. As well as curating exhibitions and displays at the NPG, Tanya is one of the curators that looks after the Gallery’s large collection of contemporary portraits (2000 – now) and acquires and commissions new works for the Collection.
 
 

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