Portrait of Britain 2021: The winners

The UK’s biggest annual photography exhibition is back, capturing the many faces of our nation in collaboration with JCDecaux UK

Looking back at the events of the last two years, it’s easy to see nothing but struggle for Great Britain. But look closer: because in the cracks, there is beauty. There is the strength of our communities; the resilience of our health service, and the solidarity of our citizens.

Against the backdrop of a nation still picking up the pieces, Portrait of Britain – the UK’s biggest annual photography exhibition – returns in collaboration with JCDecaux. 200 shortlisted images and 100 winning images have been selected by a panel of industry-leading judges including Tracy Marshall, director of Bristol Photo Festival; Mariama Attah, curator at Open Eye Gallery and Nicola Shipley, director of GRAIN Projects.

In its entirety, the curation offers a rich and complex variety of work that holds a mirror up to modern society: from quiet, everyday moments to landmark events; dynamic urban faces to eccentric countryside characters, and traditional portraiture to more innovative techniques.

100 winning images will be exhibited on JCDecaux UK’s nationwide network of digital Out-of-Home screens from 1 January 2022, running for one month throughout rail stations, shopping centres, high streets and bus stops. Programmatic Digital Out-of-Home will enable the winning portraits to be broadcast across the country — at moments that matter, to the communities they matter to.

200 shortlisted images will be published in the Portrait of Britain book, vol. 4, published by Hoxton Mini Press and distributed worldwide (hitting shelves in February 2022).

Stay tuned for further announcements!