Canterbury bags first look at new national exhibition celebrating stories of migration
A brand-new exhibition by the National Portrait Gallery (NPG) exploring the experiences and contributions of people who moved to Britain and made it their permanent or temporary home is set to open for the first time at The Beaney.
The Lives in Motion exhibition features 51 stories of migration from the NPG collection, ranging from the 11th century through to the present day, and will kick start its national tour in Canterbury on Saturday 28 June.
The display looks at the different reasons people move and explores how leaving home, and finding a new one, presents opportunities but also challenges around personal identity and a sense of belonging.
Spanning nearly a thousand years of history, stories are told through a range of vibrant paintings, sculptures, photography, prints, and digital art, including contemporary commissions by NPG.
A newly acquired bust of Mary Seacole, a British-Jamaican nurse who cared for wounded soldiers in the Crimean War, will also be on show for the first time in this exhibition since its acquisition by NPG.
Local groups including St Peters Methodist Primary School, Kent Refugee Action Network and The Beaney’s Sensing Culture Group for blind and partially sighted people have also helped develop additional interpretation materials for the display.
Cllr Charlotte Cornell, Cabinet Member for Culture and Heritage, said: “The stories told in this exhibition are so inspiring and act as an important reminder of what makes Britain such a brilliantly diverse place today.
“It’s also exciting to be the first stop of the exhibition’s tour!
“Getting the first look at some intriguing new items from the National Portrait Gallery’s collection – that our residents would otherwise have to travel to London to see – is a real privilege, and we’re grateful to the gallery for their continued partnership.”
Visitors can find the exhibition in The Beaney’s Special Exhibition Room until Sunday 5 October 2025 (closed Mondays).
Admission is free, with donations encouraged.
The display was curated by Octavia Tam, an Art Fund Vivmar curatorial trainee, hosted by NPG and Nottingham City Museums and Galleries and organised by the NPG as part of their National Touring Programme.
Find out more about the exhibition on The Beaney’s website.
Notes to editors
National Portrait Gallery
Founded in 1856, the National Portrait Gallery tells the story of Britain through portraits, using art to bring history to life and explore living today. From global icons, to unsung heroes, our Collection is filled with the stories that have shaped, and continue to shape a nation. We celebrate the power of portraiture and offer encounters with some of the world’s greatest and most exciting new artists, promoting engagement with portraiture in all media to a wide-ranging public by conserving, growing and sharing the world’s largest collection of portraits.
www.npg.org.uk
Art Fund
Art Fund is the UK’s independent charity for art, helping museums and people to share in great art and culture for 120 years. Art Fund raises millions of pounds every year to help the UK’s museums, galleries and historic houses. The charity funds art, enabling the UK’s museums to buy and share exciting works, connect with their communities, and inspire the next generation. It builds audiences with its National Art Pass opening doors to great culture; and it amplifies the museum sector through the world’s largest museum prize, Art Fund Museum of the Year, and creative events that bring the UK’s museums together. Art Fund is people-powered by 135,000 members who buy a National Art Pass, and the donors, trusts and foundations who support the charity.
The National Art Pass provides free or discounted entry to over 400 museums, galleries and historic places, 50% off major exhibitions, and Art Quarterly magazine.
www.artfund.org
Published: 20 June 2025