Trending

Coronavirus: Kate Middleton launches photography project focused on life during lockdown

By Michelle Ewing, Cox Media Group National Content Desk
By Michelle Ewing, Cox Media Group National Content Desk

LONDON — As the world copes with the coronavirus pandemic, Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, and Britain's National Portrait Gallery are asking residents of the United Kingdom to share their photos for a lockdown-inspired community art project.

>> Coronavirus checklist: 100-plus disinfectants that may kill coronavirus on surfaces

According to the gallery’s website, the effort, dubbed “Hold Still,” will feature 100 photographic portraits submitted by U.K. residents in a digital exhibition that “captures the spirit, mood, hopes, fears and feelings” of the public during the outbreak. Later this year, some of the photos also will be shown around the country.

>> Coronavirus symptoms: What you need to know

“We’ve all been struck by some of the incredible images we’ve seen which have given us an insight into the experiences and stories of people across the country – some desperately sad images showing the human tragedy of this pandemic and other uplifting pictures showing people coming together to support those more vulnerable,” the duchess, formerly known as Kate Middleton, told ITV. "'Hold Still’ aims to capture a portrait of the nation, the spirit of the nation, what everyone is going through at this time. Photographs reflecting resilience, bravery, kindness – all those things that people are experiencing.”

>> Coronavirus: Know the facts directly from the CDC

Photographers of "all ages and abilities" may participate in the project, which is free to enter, the website adds. Residents can submit photos, which "must involve people," on the gallery's website until June 18.

>> Coronavirus: Can the government make you stay home if you are sick?

“The images can be captured on phones or cameras and each image will be assessed on the emotion and experience it conveys rather than its photographic quality or technical expertise,” Kensington Palace said in an Instagram post Thursday.

The palace also encouraged residents to post their photos on Instagram using the hashtag #HoldStill2020 and the tag @KensingtonRoyal.

>> See the post here

View this post on Instagram

Today The Duchess of Cambridge launches a community photography project spearheaded by you! In collaboration with the @NationalPortraitGallery, we are asking you to help capture the spirit, the mood, the hopes, the fears and the feelings of the UK as we continue to deal with the Coronavirus outbreak. Completely free and open to all ages and abilities, Hold Still will capture a snapshot of the UK at this time, creating a collective portrait of lockdown which will reflect resilience and bravery, humour and sadness, creativity and kindness, and human tragedy and hope. One hundred shortlisted portraits will feature in a gallery without walls – a one of a kind digital exhibition open to all this August. The images can be captured on phones or cameras and each image will be assessed on the emotion and experience it conveys rather than its photographic quality or technical expertise. Submit your images through the link in bio and share your portraits on Instagram by tagging @KensingtonRoyal #HoldStill2020 to be in with a chance to be featured on our channel throughout the project. #StayAtHome

A post shared by Kensington Palace (@kensingtonroyal) on

As of Thursday morning, the United Kingdom had reported at least 202,359 coronavirus cases – the fourth-highest number worldwide – and 30,150 deaths, according to Johns Hopkins University.

Learn more here.

Commonwealth Day Service 2020 Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge attends the Commonwealth Day Service 2020 at Westminster Abbey on March 9, 2020, in London. (Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty Images)

Most Read