The Time is Always Now
Artists Reframe the Black Figure

Free for Members and Patrons

A visitor stands looking at a painting closely cropped on a woman standing at a diagonal, with a background of abstract geometric shapes and African masks and statues

Past exhibition archive
22 February - 19 May 2024

Floor 0

£16.00 / £18.00 with donation

Members visit free – join from just £5.50 per month.

25 and under: £5 – supported by Bank of America.

Pay What You Wish: minimum payment of £1 on Saturdays from 17.30 to 21.00 and Sundays from 10.30 to 12.00.

Seniors Mondays: 50% off the Adult price for visitors over 60 every Monday.

Other concessions available.

A major study of the Black figure – and its representation in contemporary art.

The exhibition, curated by writer Ekow Eshun, showcases the work of contemporary artists from the African diaspora, including Michael Armitage, Lubaina Himid, Kerry James Marshall, Toyin Ojih Odutola and Amy Sherald, and highlights the use of figures to illuminate the richness and complexity of Black life. As well as surveying the presence of the Black figure in Western art history, we examine its absence – and the story of representation told through these works, as well as the social, psychological and cultural contexts in which they were produced.

The exhibition features the work of leading artists including Njideka Akunyili Crosby, Hurvin Anderson, Michael Armitage, Jordan Casteel, Noah Davis, Godfried Donkor, Kimathi Donkor, Denzil Forrester, Lubaina Himid, Claudette Johnson, Titus Kaphar, Kerry James Marshall, Wangechi Mutu, Toyin Ojih Odutola, Chris Ofili, Jennifer Packer, Nathaniel Mary Quinn, Thomas J Price, Amy Sherald, Lorna Simpson, Henry Taylor and Barbara Walker.

Download our digital guide on Bloomberg Connects to unlock audio commentary, offering reflections from artists Thomas J Price, Amy Sherald, Claudette Johnson and Jordan Casteel, as well as the chance to hear from exhibition curator Ekow Eshun.

Please note there are lighting transitions between rooms in this exhibition. Specific artworks are protected by low level barriers. For more information about exhibition accessibility please contact us at [email protected].

★★★★ Evening Standard
‘A stellar, stirring achievement’

★★★★ The Guardian
‘Striking shades of brilliant black figurative art’

★★★★★ The Observer
‘Stunning from first to last’

★★★★ The Telegraph
‘Reflects the ascendancy of a new artistic establishment’

Principal Supporter
Bank of America

Supported by
Huo Foundation

With additional support from:

Shop the exhibition

The Time is Always Now: Artists Reframe the Black Figure
Hardcover Catalogue

This hardcover catalogue explores Black figuration and portraiture as realised in the works of Amy Sherald, Jordan Casteel and other contemporary artists

Reframing the Black Figure: An Introduction to Contemporary Black Figuration

This book provides a lively and gift-worthy introduction to 22 of the biggest names and works in Black figuration, highlighting key pieces within the exhibition

Full exhibition range

Discover the new range, including Gallery exclusives and a curated selection from independent makers

Schools

Gallery activities: The Time is Always Now

Watch curator Ekow Eshun introduce the National Portrait Gallery’s exhibition The Time is Always Now: Artists Reframe the Black Figure for key stage 3-5 schools visiting the Gallery. Use the questions and activities in the downloadable learning resource to discover and respond to key artworks by contemporary Black artists as you explore the exhibition.

The Time is Always Now: double consciousness in Black portraiture

Discover key artworks by contemporary Black artists, taking a closer look through step-by-step analysis and asking critical questions, to explore the concept of double consciousness. The resource is aimed at key stage 4-5 students.