The National Portrait Gallery has purchased a portrait photograph of musician Charli XCX for its permanent collection. The image, captured in 2024 by photographer Harley Weir, depicts the artist in a white crop top and unbuttoned black jeans leaning against a wall. The photograph gained prominence as a key promotional image for her Brat album, aligning with the project’s aesthetic and thematic elements. The gallery’s acquisition was made possible through funding from the Bukhman Foundation.
The portrait will be displayed in the National Portrait Gallery’s History Makers Now section, a space dedicated to contemporary cultural figures. Senior curator Brandei Estes commented on the acquisition, highlighting Weir’s distinctive photographic approach that combines intimacy with powerful presence, describing the image as a striking representation of a defining cultural figure of her generation.
The timing of the acquisition coincides with the release of Charli’s eighth album, Music, Fashion, Film, which debuted on Friday to favorable critical reception. The project incorporates fragmented guitar samples and acid-influenced melodies while exploring themes of artistic identity and fame following her mainstream breakthrough with Brat. Publications including The New York Times and DIY magazine offered positive assessments of the 29-minute record. According to the Official Charts Company, the album was tracking toward the top position on the weekly chart, competing against releases from Snow Patrol, Shania Twain, and The Strokes. A chart-topping performance would mark her fourth UK number one overall and her second of the year, following the Wuthering Heights soundtrack’s chart success in February.
The artist also released three additional tracks through iTunes as bonus content for a deluxe edition, reversing her previous stance against making the material available on streaming platforms. Charli will perform at Reading & Leeds festival next month.
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