Artist’s Statement — Rory Lewis

The essence of a great photographic project lies in its ability to take on a life of its own — to evolve, gather momentum, and ultimately form a cohesive visual narrative. For me, Northerners began as a simple idea: to celebrate the extraordinary range of talent emerging from Scotland and the North of England. From that spark came a journey that shaped itself — a creative pursuit that gained unstoppable momentum as I sought to portray individuals whose achievements and character define the spirit of the North.

Sittings

Featured

David Warner: My Portraits Featured in Tron: Ares

It was a wonderful surprise to see my portraits of the late, great David Warner appear twice in the newly released Tron: Ares — once as a framed painting within a pivotal office scene, and again as part of an onscreen newscast montage. To witness Warner resurrected, recognised, and woven into the visual language of the film was deeply moving.

Tony Blair — Portrait Sitting

Inviting former Prime Minister Sir Tony Blair to sit for a portrait in London was a remarkable opportunity. Serving as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom from 1997 to 2007, he was the third former leader I have photographed—an exciting and significant moment in my ongoing work documenting contemporary political history.

Ian McShane: Commanding the Darkness

Ian McShane is an English actor, director, producer, and voice artist whose career spans decades of iconic screen work. From Lovejoy to Deadwood, Pirates of the Caribbean, and more recently John Wick, McShane is a true screen legend. Whether portraying a lawless saloon owner, the urbane and dangerous Winston of the John Wick universe, or the most seductively menacing of British mobsters, he has repeatedly captivated audiences by inhabiting rogues, scoundrels, and villains with irresistible charisma.

David Warner Portrait Sitting — Rory Lewis Photographer

For decades, Warner had famously declined professional portrait sittings, the last of which was with the legendary Cecil Beaton in 1965 when he was just twenty-four. By the time I approached him for my Northerners portrait series, he was seventy-two — a master actor whose presence had only deepened with time.

Early in my career, like many photographers, I balanced a broad commercial workload — shooting everything from industrial products to aspiring actors — while yearning to focus on portraiture that was deeply human, expressive, and timeless. By my early thirties, I felt the urgency to define my artistic voice and create work that reflected who I truly was as a photographer. I knew that to attract the attention of editors, curators, and agents, I needed to produce a body of work entirely on my own terms — one that would both challenge and inspire.

Being born and raised in the North, I chose to celebrate those who share those roots — distinguished actors, artists, and public figures whose lives and work have helped shape British culture. It was a theme I hadn’t seen explored in this way before, and it offered the perfect foundation to define my style: cinematic portraiture steeped in drama, emotion, and authenticity.

In the Press

Featured

In the Press

Northerners: Rory Lewis photographs Gandalf and a General 21st October 2014

In the Press

Thank you to BBC Corespondent Chris Long interviewing me about my Northerners Photography Exhibition. Speaking in particular about my sittings with Sir Patrick Stewart, Sir Ian McKellen, full transcript below.

In the Press

The journey began with persistence — writing letters, contacting agents, and introducing myself to a world of busy, accomplished individuals. From the outset, I aimed high: Sir Patrick Stewart, Sir Ian McKellen, Ian McShane. I believed that to do justice to the project, it needed to reflect the very best of the North.

Charitable purpose also guided the process. As a long-time supporter of UNICEF, I dedicated the Northerners exhibition to raising funds and awareness for children in need of food, water, education, and care. That human connection — between subject, artist, and audience — was at the heart of everything I hoped to achieve.

My first breakthrough came when actor David Warner responded to my letter. After weeks of correspondence, he agreed to sit, resulting in a portrait later acquired by the National Portrait Gallery — a defining moment that gave the series historical weight and lasting significance. With that success came others: Sir Patrick Stewart, Sir Ian McKellen, Emma Rigby, Ian McShane, and even General Sir Nicholas Houghton, Chief of the Defence Staff.

Each sitting has been its own encounter — a dialogue between light, character, and story. To stand before icons such as Sir Ian McKellen and capture not the performer but the person beneath is both a privilege and a challenge. My goal has always been to strip away performance and artifice, to reveal authenticity — that quiet, powerful humanity that transcends fame and status.

Ultimately, Northerners became far more than a photographic series. It is a tribute to identity, perseverance, and creative spirit — a celebration of individuals whose stories remind us of the North’s enduring contribution to culture, art, and character.