The life and career of renowned actor and writer David Harewood OBE are explored in this immersive exhibition, culminating in the newly commissioned portrait by Ashley Karrell as part of Harewood’s ‘Missing Portrait’ series.

The Missing Portraits series commissions portraits of people of African-Caribbean heritage who have connections to Harewood. Born in 1965 to parents born in Barbados, David Harewood was raised in Birmingham and began his career as a film and stage actor in 1990. Also celebrated as a writer and ambassador for mental health awareness, the actor is descended from individuals who were enslaved on a Caribbean sugar plantation owned by the 2nd Earl of Harewood in the early 19th century. The new portrait is by Leeds-based photographer and film-maker Ashley Karrell.

Missing Portraits is part of Harewood’s ongoing Open History project, which aims to open-up stories about our heritage, celebrating people of colour who have deep-rooted links to Harewood.

Content warning
The exhibition contains explicit and offensive language relating to racism and content relating to mental ill health and psychosis.

Portrait image: Ashley Karrell