People of Ipswich - The Portrait Days

A Portrait of a City 🎨

People of Ipswich is a "Reverse Exhibition": a living, breathing project where the act of making the art becomes the artwork itself.

From 26 August to 4 September 2026, the Ipswich Community Gallery will transform into a functioning portrait studio. Over 10 days, up to 200 Ipswich residents will be invited to sit for a professional black-and-white portrait.

As each image is captured and printed on-site, it will be immediately added to the gallery walls, building a growing mosaic of our community’s faces. By the end of the exhibition, we will have created a visual record of who we are right now - celebrating the diversity, dignity, and presence of the people who make Ipswich home.

All you need is proof of residency! You are welcome to show up at the Community Gallery to participate, but if you'd like to jump the queue - book a spot here.