Underexposed: Photographs By Franklyn Rodgers

The National Portrait Gallery is pleased to announce its participation in the 'Underexposed' arts program, part of the 4 The Record Initiative (4TR) created to highlight talent and achievement within the black British community and to bring their work to a wider audience.

The Gallery will be hosting a plasma screen installation, displaying dramatic portraits of thirty black British actors by photographer Franklyn Rodgers.

Photographed by Franklyn Rogers in atmospheric tones, bathed in reflective light, the sitters in this unique project urge an engagement with the viewer. The selection of thirty black British actors includes television legend Rudolph Walker (star of Love Thy Neighbour), Academy Award nominee Marianne Jean-Baptiste, acclaimed stage actor David Oyelowo and Idris Elba, star of HBO's new hit drama, The Wire.

Franklyn Rodgers sits at the cutting edge of contemporary photographic portraiture, bringing a unique approach and a style that is distinctly his own. He has created a diverse body of work over the last decade, spanning the arts, music, and corporate genres and including work for Polydor and National Geographic. As a recent recipient of the prestigious NESTA fellowship award, he has been able to further expand his endeavours, exploring cross-cultural identities on a global platform.

Fraser James comments: "Underexposed is the culmination of a long held belief of mine that there are many potential black role models, but their visibility needs to be higher.  I hope this project goes some way in achieving a greater level of recognition for the wealth of talent we have in the acting profession and to inspiring the next generation of black actors in this country."

The exhibition runs from Friday April 4th to Sunday June 8th in the Ondaatje Wing Main Hall. The National Portrait Gallery is open daily from 10am to 6pm and till 9pm on Thursdays and Fridays.

Find out more about events at the National Portrait Gallery.

How to get there

The closest tube and train station to Trafalgar Square is Charring Cross. If on the bus the 3, 6, 9, 11, 12, 13, 15, 23, 24, 29, 53, 87, 88, 91, 139, 159, 176 and the 453 all serve Trafalgar Square.

Angela Wynter by Franklyn Rodgers
© Franklyn Rogers

Eamonn Walker by Franklyn Rodgers
© Franklyn Rodgers