The Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer Portrait Award, organised by the National Portrait Gallery in London, celebrates its 43rd edition in 2025. This exhibition brings together 46 portraits selected by a panel of judges, exploring themes of cultural heritage, companionship, sexuality, illness, conflict, and grief.

The exhibition travels to Laing Art Gallery in Newcastle, where it is presented alongside Exploring Identity, a companion exhibition curated from North East Museums’ art collections that provides historical context to the art of portraiture from the 16th century to the present day.

Ukrainian Girl — an oil portrait depicting a female figure turned away from the viewer, contemplating winter light through a window — was selected to represent Nelson Hernández in this edition of the award.

Exhibition information
Laing Art Gallery
New Bridge St Newcastle upon Tyne,
NE1 8AG
United Kingdom