Make a Difference

At the recent alumni weekend, the College was delighted to welcome Dr David Starkey, CBE, FSA, well known author and historian and an Honorary Fellow of Fitzwilliam College, Cambridge to talk about the historical role of portraiture to an audience of over 70. The event marked the donation of this year's portrait to the Royal Society of Portrait Painter's People's Portraits Exhibition, housed at Girton.

We also welcomed from the Royal Society of Portrait Painters ("RP"), Alistair Adams, the President of the Society together with colleagues Robin-Lee Hall, Simon Davis and June Mendoza.

In introducing the event Mistress, Professor Susan J Smith emphasised how fortunate the College is to host the People's Portraits Exhibition, which in so many ways embodies the same spirit as Girton: that of inclusion, modernity and skill, whether in art, in education, or in society as a whole. The College remains extremely proud to work with the RP in hosting the exhibition, which continues to give our students, alumni and visitors much pleasure.

About the 2012 Artist

This year's portrait, 'Larry Skeats: retired Dorset Shepherd' has been donated to the exhibition by Toby Wiggins RP. Toby was elected to the Royal Society of Portrait Painters in 2006 and has served on the Royal Society of Portrait Painters Council and held the post of Archivist.

Toby trained at the Royal Academy Schools, and gained a 1st Class BA in Fine Art from the Falmouth School of Art and Design. He has won a number of prestigious awards, including first prize for his piece 'Suspended Animation' in the 2009 Lynn Painter Stainer Prize (a prize to encourage creative representational painting and promote the skill of draughtsmanship), the 2006 National Portrait Gallery BP travel award, and the 2006 Changing Faces prize among many others.

Toby's extensive work on portraiture reflects his philosophy that "There are always fresh ideas to explore, formally through composition, light, colour and drawing, but also in the quest for likeness and character." (RP website)

About the 2012 Sitter

The sitter for the 2012 portrait is Larry Skeats, a retired shepherd from Dorset. Larry worked as a shepherd and farm manager in Dorset for 25 years, before moving into the pub trade. He has also written a book about his life as a shepherd, entitled 'A Shepherd's Delight: memories of a downland shepherd.'

About the Exhibition

The Royal Society of Portrait Painters' People's Portraits exhibition, hosted at Girton, is unique, representing ordinary people from all walks of life, and especially those who would never previously have been the subject of a portrait. The exhibition offers to us and future generations a picture of the United Kingdom as it has moved from the 20th century into the 21st. The artists, all members of the Royal Society of Portrait Painters, each bring their own style and insight to the collection.

This exciting and original collection has been housed at Girton College since 2002 as a long-term loan. The concept of this exhibition chimes well with the College ethos of community and interest in art. New portraits by members of the RP are added to the collection every year, and there are now almost 50 paintings in the exhibition.