UK’s National Portrait Gallery Acquires Photograph of Charli XCX

An picture of the pop star Charli XCX, taken by photographer Harley Weir, has been acquired by the U.Okay.’s National Portrait Gallery.

The portrait of Charli XCX was shot by Weir in 2024 and have become one of many defining photos related to the singer’s Brat album period, which developed right into a mainstream popular culture phenomenon. The {photograph} shall be held as a part of the “Collecting the Now” assortment on the National Portrait Gallery in London.

Brandei Estes, the gallery’s senior curator of pictures, says the acquisition of the portrait celebrates Charli XCX as a key determine of popular culture.

“Harley Weir has developed a distinctive photographic language that combines intimacy with a powerful sense of presence,” Estes says in an announcement. “We are delighted to acquire this striking portrait of Charli XCX, which captures one of the defining cultural figures of her generation.”

The untitled shade {photograph} exhibits the pop star leaning towards a distressed cream studio wall in a white crop prime and low-rise black denims. Charli XCX’s lengthy darkish hair has been crimped and volumized to match the dramatic black liner round her eyes.

The photograph is exhibited within the National Portrait Gallery’s “History Makers Now” house and its acquisition was funded by a present from the Bukhman Foundation.

According to a report by ArtNet, Weir has constructed a fame for vogue images that mixes high-end imagery with a extra sensual and creative strategy. Alongside campaigns for luxurious labels together with Balenciaga, Stella McCartney and Gucci, her work has been exhibited frequently by London galleries Hannah Barry and Michael Hoppen, serving to to ascertain her profile within the fine-art world. A spokesperson for the artwork seller inform the outlet they’re “delighted” to see Weir’s work “enter such an important national collection.”

The {photograph} by Weir has been bought the identical week that Charli XCX’s new album Music, Fashion, Film is anticipated to debut contained in the Top Five of the Billboard 200. The grayscale cover art for Charli XCX’s latest album was shot by Scottish photographer and filmmaker Aidan Zamiri. The {photograph} options filmmaker Martin Scorsese, singer John Cale, and designer Marc Jacobs posing in the identical kitchen.