Curators described the British artist as “one of the defining cultural figures of her generation”
A portrait of Charli XCX from her ‘Brat’ era is now on display at London’s National Portrait Gallery.
The photograph, taken in 2024 by photographer Harley Weir, was added to the gallery’s History Makers Now space earlier this week (27th July), with the National Portrait Gallery calling the British artist “one of the defining cultural figures of her generation”, according to the BBC.
Featuring Charli leaning against a wall in a white crop top and unbuttoned black jeans, the photograph was one of the key images in the promotion of her influential ‘Brat’ album, released in June 2024 on Atlantic Records.
Brandei Estes, the National Portrait Gallery’s senior curator, shared: “Harley Weir has developed a distinctive photographic language that combines intimacy with a powerful sense of presence. We are delighted to acquire this striking portrait of Charli XCX, which captures one of the defining cultural figures of her generation.”
Check out the portrait below, and head to the ground floor of the National Portrait Gallery to see the new acquisition.
Brent David Freaney, the designer who worked with XCX on the iconic green artwork for ‘Brat’ — which won the 2025 Grammy for Best Recording Package — recently shared details of their creative process in a keynote speech.
Meanwhile, Charli XCX recently followed ‘Brat’ with her new album, ‘Music, Fashion, Film’, which includes the A.G. Cook-produced single ‘Rock Music’ and a music video directed by Aidan Zamiri.
The UK star will take the album on tour across the US in September, with a portion of proceeds donated to the Transgender Law Center.
