In 2025, the National Portrait Gallery presented The Immersive World of Thom Roberts, a groundbreaking exhibition that celebrated the extraordinary vision and artistic talent of Thom Roberts, an artist with a lived experience of disability.
Roberts sees – and reorders – the world through a kaleidoscopic lens. His distinctive ‘portriffs’ [portraits] are instantly recognisable, created ‘in Thom’s way’ with extra sets of eyes, multi-pronged noses and ‘piano teeth’.
Created in 2024 in collaboration with creative arts therapist Katie Harvey at Studio A, Fan of Feeling Portriffs extends Roberts’ distinctive practice. It is a self portrait composed of many changing faces. On narrow, rectangular strips of cardboard, Thom has painted faces that each represent a different emotion.
Fan of Feeling Portriffs is a reminder that the self is never singular, that identity shifts and evolves, transforming like the shifts in Thom’s palette. This is a work composed of 24 individual faces but it is a composite whole. It is a portrait of Thom in many parts but also an invitation for us all to reflect on, and maybe mirror, these emotional truths.
"This is the first work by Thom Roberts to enter the National Portrait Collection. It is a significant work that shares so much of Thom’s trademark vibrancy and energy. We are fortunate to have the opportunity to acquire it. Thank you for considering a gift to make this a reality!”
- Bree Pickering, Director
As the Gallery raises $60,000 through this Appeal, we invite you to make a tax-deductible donation and be part of this historic acquisition.
This year, you can donate to the Appeal broadly or if you’re feeling a bit emotional, you can support the Gallery to acquire the specific portriff that speaks to you with a one-off gift of $2,500.
Donations of $2.00 or more are fully tax deductible and portraits with a red dot have already been supported.
Donate now
Thank you for your generosity!
