Steve McQueen’s portrait of Sir Nicholas Serota goes on display for the first time today as the National Portrait Gallery reopens to the public, following a major three-year transformation. This new commission marks the artist's entry into the gallery’s collection. 

 

“This portrait by Steve McQueen makes reference to the history of still photography and its intersection with cinema and film, but as ever in his work, Steve adds new language to that tradition, choosing to represent me in a way that quite literally shows more than one side. My friendship with Steve was the foundation for this portrait and I am delighted and honoured that it is the first of Steve’s works to enter the National Portrait Gallery’s Collection. I look forward to seeing it on the walls when the building re-opens.” – Sir Nicholas Serota, Chair, Arts Council England