Eamonn Walker by Franklyn Rodgers. © Franklyn Rodgers

Exhibition notice - UNDEREXPOSED at the National Portrait Gallery until June 8 2008.

UNDEREXPOSED is a photographic LCD screen installation by Franklyn Rodgers of thirty black film actors- some of whom appear in the MacLellan exhibition Want to see more of me?

The luminous images run on a loop, displaying three black and white portraits at a time, accompanied by a quote from the subject.

Underneath the portrait of award-winning actor/playwright Kwami Kwei Amar the quote reads: “Seek truth in all that you do. Adrian Lester, best known for his role as con-artist Micky Stone in the BBC drama Hustle advises: “Leave this place a little better than you found it”.

Eamonn Walker, recognisable for his many appearances in The Bill, and as Kareem Said, the incarcerated Muslim leader in hard-hitting American prison drama OZ (1997-2003) comments: “Seeking inspiration, along the way hoping to inspire”.

In the past Walker has said that he was inspired to become an actor after watching veteran African-American actor Sidney Poitier in ‘The Heat of the Night’. His words reveal a desire to motivate the younger generation in the same way that his screen idol did for him many years ago.

UNDEREXPOSED arts program is part of the 4 The Record Initiative (4TR) the brainchild of black British actor Fraser James. James is a familiar face on British TV, and is best known as the gravelly-voiced Linvall in the BBC drama series Babyfather (1999-2002).

Angela Wynter by Franklyn Rodgers. © Franklyn Rodgers

4TR aims to publicise the achievements of talented people within the black community. James set up 4TR as a reaction to the claim that the lack of positive black role models is resulting in crime, gang culture and dissidence in the black community.

He comments: “UNDEREXPOSED is the culmination of a long held belief of mine that there are many potential black role models, but their visibility needs to be higher. I hope this project goes some way in achieving a greater level of recognition for the wealth of talent we have in the acting profession and to inspiring the next generation of black actors in this country.”

The exhibition takes place in conjunction with two other site projects at Peckham High Street and Commercial Road, and is the first in a series of projects which will take place every two years focusing on the black British talent in different area.