Mhairi Black MP by Alicia Bruce
Collaboration for 209 Women exhibition at UK Parliament and Open Eye, Liverpool
I received confirmation yesterday that my portrait of Mhairi Black, MP for Paisley and Renfrewshire South has been purchased for the UK Parliament permanent collection and she will stand "sure and steadfast" amidst the collection which has been dominated for too long by a lineage of middle-aged men. On hearing the news I emailed Mhairi first, she emailed back to say she’s “chuffed” for me but it’s the national treasure in the frame being celebrated here. ✊🏴. It’s been an honour and a privilege to make this portrait as part of 209 Women, a project initiated by photographer and curator Hilary Wood pairing 209 of the current female UK MPs with 209 female UK photographers country to mark 100 years since some women got the vote.
When she first saw the portrait, made in September 2019 Mhairi Black MP’s response was
“Aw they’re brilliant! Like I said, it is the first time I have had my photo taken with no hassle, and no over the top-ness. So chuffed with it.” Mhairi Black MP
My statement for the parliament for the first exhibition at Portcullis House, December 2019 sums up my feelings again
“Sure and steadfast, Mhairi Black is the UK’s youngest MP she’s outspoken, a realist and fiercely committed to her constituency. For me, she's the embodiment of potential for a shifting establishment where the people's voice will be represented directly and honestly in parliament with a foot firmly in reality.” Alicia Bruce
Location: Paisley Abbey
The portrait subtly references ‘The Trial of William Wallace at Westminster’ by Daniel Maclise (1870)
A book of all 209 portraits was purchased earlier this year by Bluecoat Press during the 209 Women exhibition at Open Eye Gallery, Liverpool. https://bluecoatpress.co.uk/product/209-women/
Big thanks again and again to Mhairi and her team and to the 209 Women curatorial team Hilary Wood, Tracy Marshall, Cheryl Newman and Lisa Tse. Thanks also to all of the other amazing female photographers involved, many of whom I’m lucky to call friends and some of whom I had the honour of nominating to take part. Mostly, I’m chuffed for oor National treasure Mhairi Black.