Artist Open Call - New Portraits from England`s History

English Heritage is commissioning an England-based artist who defines themselves as either of the African diaspora, Black, African, African-Caribbean, Afro-Latinx, African-American or mixed heritage, to create a portrait celebrating the life of a person of the African diaspora whose story has contributed to England’s rich history.

This portrait of a male leader of African descent, whose name will be provided by English Heritage to the commissioned artist, will be hung at an English Heritage site in the North of England. English Heritage particularly welcomes applications from artists based in the North of England for this opportunity. 

This commission is part of a larger project which will see the display of 5 other portraits of people of the African diaspora, at sites connected to their subjects, between May and November 2021, alongside an accompanying public programme. With the lives of shortlisted portrait subjects spanning between AD 145 and 1982, this project will bring light to the stories of the African diaspora throughout England’s history.

The selected artist will be supported by English Heritage curators and historians to creatively depict their subject. 

The deadline for completion of the portrait is Monday 5th April 2021.