THIS IS LONDON SEPTEMBER EDITION 2025 copy - Flipbook - Page 30
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Martyn Harris
was awarded third
place for
Memories, a
moving portrayal of
a woman in quiet
contemplation,
exploring themes
of ageing,
vulnerability, and
reflection. The
Young Artist Award
went to Michelle
Liu for her
sensitive portrait
Kofi, which
impressed judges
with its technical
skill and emotional
depth. Alongside
the prize winners,
the exhibition
Inset Day, 2025 by Yvadney Davis © Yvadney Davis
features works by
42 other artists,
exploring themes
HERBERT SMITH FREEHILLS
such as identity, family, social
KRAMER PORTRAIT AWARD
relationships, and the passage of time.
The Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer
From precise realism to bold
Portrait Award returns to the National
experimentation, the collection reflects
Portrait Gallery for its 43rd year,
the breadth and vitality of portraiture
celebrating the very best in
today.
contemporary portraiture. From over
Whether you are a regular gallery1,300 submissions, just 46 works have
goer or a first-time visitor, the Herbert
been selected for display, offering
Smith Freehills Kramer Portrait Award is
visitors a unique chance to see the rich
a chance to encounter portraits that go
diversity of portrait painting today.
beyond likeness to tell powerful human
This year’s winner is Moira Cameron
stories. www.npg.org.uk
for A Life Lived, a bold, large-scale selfportrait. Revisiting a painting she first
created 40 years ago, Cameron’s new
work captures the wisdom, fatigue, and
quiet reflection of a life fully
experienced. Judges praised its vivid
colours, humour, and the striking
tension between its energetic technique
and contemplative subject.
Tim Benson received second place for
Cliff, Outreach Worker, a powerful
portrait of Clifford Dobbs, who lives with
a facial difference. Painted with
expressive, sculptural brushwork, the
A Life Lived, 2024 by Moira Cameron
portrait challenges historic ideas of
© Moira Cameron
beauty and celebrates resilience.
IN CONVERSATION AT KEW
GARDENS
Popular personalities from some of
the UK’s favourite TV programmes,
podcasts and publications will take to
the stage at Kew Gardens from 4 to 7
September for a brand-new series of
exciting outdoor events. In Conversation
at Kew Gardens will feature quick-witted,
quality chat, facts and fun, with
picnicking, tasty street food, strawberries
and ice cream, and toe-tapping live
music, all served in a glorious, green
setting. Event tickets include access to
Kew Gardens from 10.00-19.00 for
plenty of time to explore Kew’s 320-acre
UNESCO World Heritage Site and all it
has to offer, from spectacular
glasshouses to beautiful seasonal
planting and a breath-taking arboretum.
Richard Osman will open In
Conversation at Kew Gardens on the
morning of 4 September with a lively
look inside life as a TV presenter,
podcaster, game show inventor and
best-selling author.
History fans are in for a treat on
Friday 5 September when Classics
connoisseurs Professor Mary Beard and
Tom Holland open the doors to Ancient
Rome. The dynamic duo will join
HistoryExtra podcast editor Ellie
Cawthorne for morning and afternoon
conversations, exploring Caesar’s power
plays and the turbulent journey from
Republic to Empire.
Saturday 6 September is dedicated to
the power of plants, courtesy of BBC
Gardeners’ World Live. Where better
than Kew Gardens to join the greenfingered presenters Adam Frost and
Frances Tophill for a deep dig into
gardening, with host Nicki Chapman.
Lovers of the Great British
countryside are in for a treat on Sunday
7 September when Anita Rani will
welcome BBC Countryfile colleagues
Matt Baker and John Craven to the Kew
Gardens stage. The team will share
warm-hearted tales of the special people,
places and animals they’ve encountered
over the course of many years.
T H I S I S L O N D O N M A G A Z I N E • T H I S I S L O N D O N O N L I N E • w w w. t i l . c o m • @ t h i s i s l o n d o n m a g
