A prestigious National Gallery art exhibition has been hosted by Sheffield’s own Millennium Gallery, making it the only place to view this exclusive display outside the capital.
The Taylor Wessing photo portrait prize 25 displays over 50 works that represent some of the best contemporary photographs in the world, showcasing pictures of people, places and lives lived all intended to invoke emotion in visitors.
Previously this collection was presented at the National Portrait Gallery in London costing £9.50 to visit, however for its time in Sheffield the exhibition is being displayed freely for all visitors to enjoy.
Gareth Johnstone said on Facebook: “Many of the portraits struck me as sad, even joyless. They aren’t your usual portrait photography.”
The collection is designed to celebrate and question how we see others as well as ourselves. With the overall prize was given to Martina Holmberg whose image, Mel, showed a burns victim posed like a princess in a tower looking out of the window.
Sarah Rousseau commenting on Facebook said: “I’ve travelled down to London each year to see the exhibition for the last 10 years or more and I can’t tell you how excited I was that it came to Sheffield.
“I loved the exhibition and the photography included. We’re so lucky to have the millennium gallery and the wonderful exhibitions I’ve seen over the years, and I truly hope that this is just the beginning of us getting even more exhibits like this.”
This unique opportunity highlights Sheffield’s rich artistic roots, lending to the cities strive towards a city of culture designation in 2029.
Kirstie Hamilton, Director of Programmes at Sheffield Museums said: “It’s fantastic to work with national partners like the National Portrait Gallery to bring the very best in art and design to Sheffield. We’re delighted to be the only venue outside London to show this year’s Taylor Wessing Prize and to showcase such striking and powerful examples of world-class photography at the Millennium Gallery.”
The display opened at Millennium Gallery on Saturday 21 February and continues until Sunday 10 May
