Rankin captures NHS heroes in new portrait series
The British photographer’s latest project shines a spotlight on frontline healthcare workers from across the UK
When it comes to famous faces, there are few that Rankin hasn’t photographed. But for his latest project, the British portrait photographer is turning his lens on the everyday heroes we might not know – the NHS frontline workers who have been keeping the health service going during the pandemic.
In a series of 12 portraits marking the 72nd anniversary of the NHS, Rankin shines a light on courageous medical staff from across the country including a midwife, 111 call handler, porter, nurse, cleaner, ICU consultant, paramedic and IT worker.
Having worked in the NHS in his younger days, it’s a project close that is very close to his heart. ‘I was a theatre porter for a bit of time between my studies. I loved it so much, it was a growing up, coming of age experience for me and I really got to experience the community, camaraderie and passion of the people who worked there.’ More recently, in 2019, he worked with Public Health England on a national campaign around mental health.
The portraits were taken over four days under lockdown conditions in an elaborate set-up which saw Rankin capture each subject from behind a plastic sheet (see more of this on our Instagram). ‘The social distancing when we’re photographing people was very strange; having to shout across two metres. We were all a little bit nervous, but meeting these incredible people gave me great confidence. Every person was so far beyond my expectations. They have so much humility and all are such characters. They really were larger than life people.'
‘Even to just give them an hour where they’re not having to think about this crisis, where they could just enjoy the process, that was really rewarding. These are people doing a job that is so so important to all of us.’
The photographer has kept the aesthetic of the images deliberately stripped back, with no hair or make-up and little retouching. ‘There’s no bells and whistles, I wanted to let the people speak for themselves. I just wanted to see their eyes and see their humanity because it’s so apparent looking at each of them.’
‘I really believe you can tell a lot about human beings from the way they look through the camera. These people speak for themselves, they really are heroes, they all say they’re not – but each of them has done something heroic. Their compassion and their humility is what links all of them. They are all passionate about being compassionate about what they do. These people are putting their lives at risk for us.’
The portraits will be displayed across Britain at bus stops, on billboards and at the Piccadilly Lights in London’s Piccadilly Circus. Reflecting on his hopes for how the Covid-19 crisis might reshape society Rankin says: ‘I do think that empathy will stay with us, I don’t think it will disappear overnight. We know that these frontline workers are here now, and we will respect them. If there’s anything positive about this pandemic – and very little has been positive about it – it’s that we have sped up change. Real caring about the community and the nation has become such an important part of our daily lives. The frivolous, shallow stuff is not as important anymore.’
INFORMATION
All portraits have been donated by Rankin to the NHS. england.nhs.uk/rankin
Wallpaper* Newsletter
Receive our daily digest of inspiration, escapism and design stories from around the world direct to your inbox.
-
Tranquil and secluded, Lemaire’s new Tokyo flagship exudes a sense of home
In Tokyo’s Ebisu neighbourhood, Lemaire’s tranquil new store sees the French brand take over a former 1960s home. Co-artistic directors Christophe Lemaire and Sarah-Linh Tran tell Wallpaper* more
By Joanna Kawecki Published
-
‘I wanted to create a sanctuary’ – discover a nature-conscious take on Balinese architecture
Umah Tsuki by Colvin Haven is an idyllic Balinese family home rooted in the island's crafts culture
By Natasha Levy Published
-
‘Concrete Dreams’: rethinking Newcastle’s brutalist past
A new project and exhibition at the Farrell Centre in Newcastle revisits the radical urban ideas that changed Tyneside in the 1960s and 1970s
By Smilian Cibic Published
-
New York photography show sees cultural icons – from David Hockney to Maya Angelou – in unguarded moments
‘Face to Face’ at New York’s International Center of Photography (27 January – 1 May 2023) sees cultural icons shot by Tacita Dean, Brigitte Lacombe and Catherine Opie
By Martha Elliott Published
-
Inez & Vinoodh on 35 years of radical photography, being ‘two brains, one person', and judging our Design Awards
Dutch photography duo and Wallpaper* Design Awards 2023 judges Inez & Vinoodh discuss image manipulation, design aspirations, and capturing the legendary Julianne Moore
By Harriet Lloyd-Smith Published
-
A poignant exploration of the lives of transgender and gender non-conforming older people
To celebrate Pride Month 2022, we revisit photographer Jess T Dugan’s series of intimate portraits of transgender adults over 50, first explored by Wallpaper* in this 2020 article on the occasion of an exhibition at Minneapolis Institute of Art
By Pei-Ru Keh Last updated
-
Chris Levine on creating his iconic portrait of Queen Elizabeth II: ‘I was the wild card’
For the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations, we spoke to artist Chris Levine about the making of his iconic hologram portraits of Her Majesty. He reflects on two years of preparation, that fateful day in Buckingham Palace, and Lightness of Being, the outtake that almost outshone the original
By Harriet Lloyd Smith Last updated
-
Serge Attukwei Clottey on fashion, gender, and unexpected art
In captivating new portraits for ‘Beyond Skin’, Ghanaian artist Serge Attukwei Clottey explores fashion as identity and subverts antiquated ideas of gender and sexuality
By Pei-Ru Keh Last updated
-
Aya Brown’s portraits are love letters to Black female essential workers
Artist Aya Brown’s portrait series featuring Black female essential workers is currently on display across nine bus stops in Brooklyn, in collaboration with Virgil Abloh’s Public Domain project
By Fiona Mahon Last updated
-
Masked artist series raises money for art therapy
Grayson Perry, Jenny Saville and Camille Walala are photographed for a new portrait series by Joanna Vestey, in support of art therapy charity AT The Bus
By Joanna Vestey - Photography Last updated
-
‘I see portraiture as a means to impart a social commentary’
Self-taught Nigerian painter Eniwaye Oluwaseyi addresses #EndSARS in his debut show at ADA gallery in Accra
By Pei-Ru Keh Last updated