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[Extra]Ordinary Portraits

[Extra]Ordinary Portraits

[Extra]Ordinary Portraits is a collection of artworks that reveal the ‘extraordinary elements of seemingly ordinary people’. We partnered with The Royal Drawing School and asked young people across the UK to learn about someone affected by the Holocaust, genocide or identity-based persecution and create a portrait of them. An expert judging panel have chosen thirty to be displayed for Holocaust Memorial Day 2023.

Not only does the competition nurture the creative talent of young people, but it also continues to introduce the importance of Holocaust Memorial Day to a whole new generation. 

Photographer, Rankin, one of the competition judges

If you would like to host a digital display of the exhibition, please email [email protected].

Although the competition has ended, you can still take part by creating a portrait and sharing it online using #HMDExtraOrdinaryPortraits and tagging us on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook.

Exhibition gallery

Click on each portrait to read the captions.

  • Amouna Adam

    Maja Cowie, age 13

  • Alan Turing

    Sylvie Kurcewicz, age 16

  • A comfortable place

    Hannah Brennan, age 24

  • Auguste Spitz

    Mair Nippers, age 13

  • A Glimpse of Hope

    Alexia Evans, age 12

  • Ann and Bob Kirk

    Ellie Jones, age 20

  • Rudolf Brazda

    Nahum Hughes, age 21

  • Bronia Snow

    Ali Simmons, age 25

  • Claudette Colvin

    Megan Gavan, age 13

  • Denise Uwimana

    Eviemae Thompson

  • Frank Bright

    Sophia Skrinchuk, age 18

  • Gad Beck Lino Print

    Minnie Green, age 13

  • Invisibility

    Kate Paddock, age 19

  • Irena Sendler

    Charlotte Walton, age 13

  • Lily Ebert

    Sadie Ford, age 19

  • Nika Shakarami

    Ivy Weeks-Pearson,age 14

  • Nisad 'Sisko' Jakupovic

    Jacob Venit, age 17

  • Magnus Hirschfeld

    Aidan Abbottspooner, age 16

  • Paul Klee

    Harriet Larner, age 17

  • Rudolf Brazda

    Freya Rowson, age 22

  • Sharif Barko

    Emily Jackson, age 13

  • Simone Arnold-Liebster, femme courageuse

    Susanna Sergison, age 18

  • Sophari Ashley

    Lucy Anderson, age 13

  • Start of the beginning

    Nancy Akuffobea, age 21

  • Susan Pollack - Life is Precious

    Ellie Ball, age 21

  • The stars beyond

    Zion Tyson, age 13

  • Then and Then

    Cerys, age 10

  • This is a story

    Kiera Nixon, age 16

  • Ukraine portrait

    Lauren McCarrick, age 14

  • Walid's self portrait

    Walid Yasir, age 25

In partnership with the Royal Drawing School

In partnership with the Royal Drawing School

The Royal Drawing School is an independent charity established by HRH The Prince of Wales with artist Catherine Goodman in 2000 to raise the standard and profile of drawing through teaching and practise. The School believes that drawing from observation is crucial for all aspects of visual learning, thinking and practice. It is one of only a few institutions offering in-depth, quality tuition for those who wish to develop their observational drawing skills.

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Supported by Cass Art

Supported by Cass Art

Cass Art, the UK’s leading art supplies retailer, has 14 stores across the UK and an online shop, offering the world’s best brands at affordable prices. Committed to supporting creatives of all ages, and at all stages of their careers, Cass Art works in partnership with numerous organisations and institutions to provide bursaries and awards. Read about how the Cass family has supported artists for over 100 years at cassart.co.uk/about-us.

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