Brighton alumna selected for 2020’s Portrait of Britain

University of Brighton Illustration graduate Juliet Klottrup’s image of a shepherd in North Yorkshire will be displayed on screens across the UK.
Juliet's award winning pictureJuliet's award winning picture
Juliet's award winning picture

Juliet’s photograph of William Dawson, a 23-year-old shepherd from North Yorkshire, and his sheepdog is one of 100 winning images announced by 1854 Media and the British Journal of Photography for Portrait of Britain 2020 – the fifth anniversary of the national photography award which celebrates the many faces of modern Britain.

The image will be featured as part of a public exhibition across JCDecaux’s nationwide network of digital Out-of-Home screens throughout September in places like rail stations, shopping centres, high streets and digital bus shelter screens. It will also be included in the third volume of the Portrait of Britain book, which will be published by Hoxton Mini Press and distributed worldwide from 1 October.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Juliet, a photographer from Clapham, North Yorkshire, graduated with a First Class Honours degree in Illustration BA(Hons) at the university between 2013-2016 and has since returned to deliver a professional practise lecture to all Visual Communication students shortly before the coronavirus lockdown. Her winning image of William depicts a shepherd from a family with over 100 years of farming experience who will one day take over the business from his father.

Juliet - Photo by Nathan GraceJuliet - Photo by Nathan Grace
Juliet - Photo by Nathan Grace

Juliet said: “I am absolutely delighted to be a Portrait of Britain 2020 winner. My portrait of a young Shepherd captured at his work, represents the new generation of farming and conveys the beauty and essence of the rural Yorkshire Dales.

“The award has given me the motivation to continue documenting peoples’ untold stories, to further pursue self-initiated projects and to trust my eyes!”

Juliet is now a visual artist working primarily as a photographer and director, shooting across a range of sectors, including fashion, documentary and music. Among those who have commissioned her are major brands Barbour, Vodafone, Vice and Nikon.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Speaking of her time at the university, Juliet said: “Brighton isn’t just a city of students it has a life, soul and community of its own. I felt fully immersed in what the city had to offer me, first and foremost cycling everyday and swimming in the sea all year round. The friends I made whilst learning have shaped who I am today.

“The late Gary Powell, who was my first year illustration tutor, was a very important and influential mentor to me throughout my time at Brighton. Gary was an exceptional person; he was so committed, kind, supportive and championed me - I feel incredibly lucky to have had the time with him that I did.”

Roderick Mills, Illustration course leader, said: “Juliet is very right in mentioning the community at Brighton, especially within illustration, where the staff team are on a creative journey with the students. Teaching is so much about the conversation, in encouraging students to know themselves and to challenge what it means to be an illustrator.

“It’s also very sweet that Juliet mentions the late Gary Powell as we come to the anniversary of his passing. There is a very strong bond with the students on the illustration course.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“What is great about the winning photograph is that it is line with the documentation of young people that Juliet was making by the time that she graduated from the course. This is a well-deserved accolade for Juliet, who has been very committed and brave since graduating in pursuing work and subject matter that interests her.”

Follow Juliet Klottrup on Instagram and visit her website.