The National Portrait Gallery has added a portrait of Charli xcx to its permanent collection. The photograph, captured by photographer Harley Weir in 2023, gained prominence during the artist’s widely discussed Brat era centered around her 2024 album release. Brandei Estes, the gallery’s senior curator of photographs, characterized the acquisition as a significant addition, noting that Charli represents one of the most important cultural figures of her generation. Estes also praised Weir’s distinctive approach to photography, which merges intimate qualities with commanding visual presence. The work is currently on display in the institution’s History Makers Now exhibition space, with the acquisition made possible through a donation from the Bukhman Foundation.
The timing of the acquisition coincides with the release of Charli’s new album Music, Fashion, Film, which arrived on Friday. The project has received substantial critical praise, with major publications awarding it top ratings and highlighting her distinctive position within contemporary pop music. The album has performed strongly commercially, holding the midweek chart’s top position ahead of new releases from other prominent artists. This marks a potential fourth UK number-one album for Charli and her second chart-topping release this year, following her Wuthering Heights soundtrack’s success in February.
Beyond music, Charli has expanded her creative work into film. She has appeared in various motion pictures, including Polish cinema, fantasy productions, and a comedic mockumentary. Upcoming film projects include collaborations with established directors across multiple genres. One song from the new album, titled Camera, reflects these recent acting endeavors. Additionally, Charli has released supplementary recordings following the album’s debut, making them available through digital platforms after initially considering a streaming exclusion. Her touring schedule includes festival performances and a North American leg scheduled for the fall.
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