Es Devlin is set to launch an innovative digital art project at the UK’s National Portrait Gallery. Titled “A National Portrait,” this participatory initiative invites the public to contribute to a collective digital artwork. The project, developed in collaboration with Google Arts & Culture Lab, will be unveiled on May 14, 2026, and will run until October 27, 2026.
A National Portrait: An Evolving Collective Artwork
The installation will be housed in the History Makers space of the National Portrait Gallery. It aims to transform public involvement into a continuously changing digital portrait that reflects the nation. Participants across the UK can upload their photographs through a dedicated online platform. Each image submitted will be converted into an animated digital portrait, inspired by Devlin’s unique charcoal and chalk drawing techniques.
- Launch Date: May 14, 2026
- End Date: October 27, 2026
- Location: National Portrait Gallery, History Makers space
Once individuals upload their images, they will instantly become part of the displayed artwork. In addition, they will receive a downloadable digital edition of their personalized portrait. Devlin emphasizes that this project represents a response to ongoing discussions about national identity. She envisions it as a dynamic portrait shaped by collective contributions.
Public Participation and Artistic Engagement
Devlin encourages audiences to engage with traditional portrait-making alongside the digital installation. On the launch date, a free public drawing event will take place at the gallery, supplemented by an online drawing class accessible to everyone in the UK. The National Portrait Gallery will also hold ongoing free Drop-In Drawing sessions throughout the exhibition period.
- Next workshops are scheduled for:
- June 12, 2026
- July 3, 2026
- September 4, 2026
- October 2, 2026
Dr. Flavia Frigeri, the Curatorial and Collections Director at the National Portrait Gallery, expressed excitement about the collaboration, highlighting its potential to redefine portraiture. She noted that “A National Portrait” offers audiences a unique chance to not only observe but actively participate in the creation of the artwork.
Support for Artist-Led Innovation
Freya Salway, Head of the Lab at Google Arts & Culture, commented on the ongoing partnership with Devlin. She highlighted the importance of artist-led experiments with advanced technologies. This collaboration continues to offer the public an intimate way to see themselves represented within the iconic walls of the National Portrait Gallery.
For those interested in participating in “A National Portrait,” submissions can be made through the project’s dedicated website, which will launch simultaneously with the exhibition on May 14, 2026.
