Photography by Dr James Clifford Kent, from the Department of Languages, Literatures and Cultures at Royal Holloway, University of London, will be featured in a National Portrait Gallery exhibition, as part of the Taylor Wessing Photo Portrait Prize 2024.

The Taylor Wessing Photo Portrait Prize, which has been running since 2008, aims to showcase the work of talented young photographers, gifted amateurs and established best-in-class photographers.

The competition celebrates a diverse range of images and tells the fascinating stories behind the creation of works, from formal commissioned portraits to spontaneous and intimate moments capturing people in natural environments.

Dr James Clifford Kent is one of 55 photographers selected to take part in the exhibition, with 62 portraits on display in total.

His project NHMN – “¡No hay más na’!” (There’s Nothing Left) captures the lives of ordinary Cubans between 2022 and 2024, as people struggle with the deepest economic crisis since the 1990s. The project has received widespread recognition, featuring in The Times, The Independent, Huck Magazine and the British Journal of Photography, among other publications.

The above photograph of a woman in her sixties, named Cary, alongside her goose Axiuli and her cat Haytoo, will be on display at the National Portrait Gallery’s exhibition.

Dr Kent’s photography tells a visually impactful story, as the signs of a once-thriving business that existed before the Cuban Revolution of 1959 are visible, while Cary sits alone at home – her adult children having left Cuba for a better standard of living abroad.

Dr James Clifford Kent, from the Department of Languages, Literatures and Cultures, said: “Since the beginning of my career, the annual Photo Portrait Prize at the National Portrait Gallery has been a major source of inspiration, so this latest chapter is especially meaningful to me.

“My NHMN project has focused on creating genuine connections and building trust with marginalised communities. Sharing their stories goes far beyond simply pressing the shutter—it’s a collaborative journey that requires active listening, empathy and respect.”

The opening of the Taylor Wessing Photo Portrait Prize takes place at the National Portrait Gallery in London at a private launch event this week. The exhibition, featuring Dr Kent’s images, is open to the public from Thursday 14 November 2024 and will remain open until Sunday 16 February 2025.