– A Review of the Iconic Exhibition at the National Portrait Gallery
The Face Magazine: Culture Shift at the National Portrait Gallery takes you on a visual journey through the cutting-edge landscape of youth culture and fashion that redefined the cultural terrain of Britain—and beyond—over the span of nearly 25 years. As a trailblazing magazine from 1980 to 2004, The Face did much more than document contemporary culture; it helped shape it, offering a platform for the boldest voices in music, fashion, and art. (main image Jazzie B, by Enrique Badulescu, styled by Adam Howe April 1989).
The Face was started by Nick Logan who was a former editor of NME in the 1970. Recognising a gap in the market for a publication aimed at a youth audience, with a range of topics that was not being covered by the music weeklies, glossies or music weeklies at the time.
This exhibition is a celebration of the fearless creativity that permeated the pages of the iconic magazine, showcasing over 200 striking photographs by more than 80 legendary photographers.
The works of Sheila Rock, Stéphane Sednaoui, Corinne Day, David Sims, Elaine Constantine, and Sølve Sundsbø are just a few of the celebrated names whose bold, innovative shots defined the magazine’s unique visual language. It’s rare to see these images off the pages of the magazine, and the opportunity to explore them in large format is a revelation in itself.
From featuring soon-to-be global superstars like Kate Moss and Naomi to launching the careers of some of the most influential photographers and stylists, The Face magazine was more than just a publication—it was an incubator for creative minds.
The exhibition demonstrates how its photographers radically reimagined fashion photography and played a vital role in shaping the spirit of the times, with each image telling the story of a moment that encapsulated the essence of a cultural shift. Musicians who graced the covers achieved global success, and models who were once unknown became the most recognisable faces of their generation
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Curated by Sabina Jaskot-Gill, Senior Curator of Photographs at the National Portrait Gallery, alongside Curatorial Consultants Lee Swillingham and Norbert Schoerner, the exhibition offers an intimate look into the evolution of a magazine that continuously pushed boundaries. The curation is thoughtfully executed, balancing the rich history of The Face with a contemporary perspective that highlights how its spirit still resonates today, especially after the magazine’s relaunch in 2019.
With contributions from industry legends like Ekow Eshun and interviews with key figures such as Nick Logan and Neville Brody, the exhibition goes beyond images to provide rich context about the cultural and creative significance of The Face. For anyone interested in the intersection of fashion, photography, and music, this exhibition is a must-see. The Face continues to “provide a disruptive and creative space for image-makers, championing fresh talent in photography, fashion, music and graphic design”.
Bask in the Kool Vibez of this incredible collection. This truly is the “too Kool for Skool” exhibition of the year—a celebration of an era-defining publication that has left an indelible mark on the cultural and creative landscape.
Members don’t need to pre-book exhibition tickets: just show your membership card at the exhibition entrance on the day.
Become a Member and enjoy unlimited free entry to The Face: Culture Shift and all other exhibitions for 12 months.
Tickets are subject to availability: advanced booking recommended.
Adults: £23 / 25.50 with donation.
25 and under: £5 tickets on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays.
Pay What You Can for entry times on Saturdays from 17.30 to 20.00.
Seniors Mondays: 50% off the Adult price for visitors over 60 every Monday.
National Portrait Gallery
St Martin’s Place
London, WC2H 0HE
+44(0)20 7306 0055
