Issy Wood explores self-portraiture at National Portrait Gallery
British painter presents first major exhibition of self-portraits at London's National Portrait Gallery.
At a glance
- Exhibition is Wood's first major public self-portrait presentation
- Part of National Portrait Gallery's new series on contemporary portraiture
- Artist previously focused on painting everyday objects and consumer goods
- Works feature close-cropped, soft-focus approach to subjects
British artist Issy Wood has opened her first significant public exhibition of self-portraits at the National Portrait Gallery in London. The display marks the gallery's inaugural presentation in a new series examining how contemporary artists use portraiture.
Wood has previously painted self-portraits, but this exhibition features works at a notably larger scale than her earlier efforts. The artist has traditionally focused on painting everyday objects and consumer items, an approach described as reflecting contemporary digital culture and personal preoccupations.
Why it matters
The exhibition represents a shift in Wood's artistic practice and launches a new curatorial initiative at the National Portrait Gallery exploring how contemporary artists approach portraiture.
Original reporting
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