LONDON.- The National Portrait Gallery announces its commission of a posthumous portrait of Terry Higgins, one of the first people in the UK to die of an AIDS related illness. Supported by Terrence Higgins Trust – the first charity in the UK to be set up in response to the HIV epidemic – this portrait is unveiled in their 40th year to mark what would have been Terry’s 78th birthday, and for when the Gallery's reopening June 22nd.

Born on 10 June 1945, Terry Higgins left his Welsh hometown, Haverfordwest as a young man and moved to London. By day, he worked as a reporter in the House of Commons, and by night, he was a bartender and DJ. Higgins collapsed in Heaven nightclub in Soho while at work in 1982, and just a few months later, he died at St Thomas’ hospital, London, on 4 July, aged 37. Established by Whitaker and Terry’s close friend Martyn Butler OBE, Terrence Higgins Trust has continually fought for change since Terry’s death – raising awareness of the virus and helping to destigmatise HIV.

Terry Higgins – Three Ages of Terry (2023) is a posthumous portrait, drawn in colored pencil by artist Curtis Holder. The multilayered drawing shows Terry Higgins as a teenager in the navy, a young man and a middle-aged man, in the weeks just before his death, with his moustache just visible. Delicately sketched, the most dominant portrait is at the centre. This Terry gazes confidently at the viewer, with his past and future eyes softly drawn on his left and right sides. While Holder usually takes inspiration from the intimate conversations had with a sitter prior to making his portraits, this portrait was drawn from personal photographs and memories shared by his partner and one of the founding members of Terrence Higgins Trust, Rupert Whitaker OBE. The palette is limited to hues of mostly red, a reference to the now familiar and powerful symbol of the red ribbon, the universal symbol of awareness and support for people living with HIV.

This is the first portrait of Terry Higgins and the first work by Curtis Holder to enter the National Portrait Gallery’s Collection. Terry Higgins – Three Ages of Terry will be displayed in the Making the Modern World gallery, a space dedicated to some the most important figures of the 20th century, from 22 June 2023.




“I am deeply moved by this portrait of Terry, which depicts him in all his gentleness and dignity. Thank you to Terrence Higgins Trust and Curtis Holder for making this beautiful portrait a reality, enabling us to tell Terry’s important story in our transformed Gallery. I very much look forward to sharing it with our visitors from 22 June.” -Dr. Nicholas Cullinan, Director, National Portrait Gallery.

“When Terry Higgins died 40 years ago, there was not even a name for the virus let alone a test. He could have easily been forgotten like so many others who died of AIDS-related illnesses at the start of the HIV epidemic. However, his partner Rupert Whitaker and their friend Martyn Butler were determined not to let that happen by establishing a charity in his name which would go on to save countless lives. That’s why it feels absolutely right that Curtis Holder’s stunning portrait of Terry is part of the National Portrait Gallery’s latest collection honouring some of the most important figures of the 20th century. Terry’s death sparked a movement that changed the course of history and his incredible legacy is still felt today. We’re determined to see the UK become the very first country in the world to end new HIV cases by 2030 and to do it in Terry’s name.”, - Richard Angell, Chief Executive, Terrence Higgins Trust.

“Meeting Terry was life-changing – I will be forever thankful for the kindness and thoughtfulness that he showed me and everyone whose life he touched. Through setting up Terrence Higgins Trust in response to the emerging HIV-pandemic, not only has the charity provided crucial prevention-work around HIV and supported those of us who have been diagnosed with it over these past four decades, it has also kept Terry’s memory alive. It’s been an honour and a pleasure to work with Curtis Holder and the National Portrait Gallery on developing this wonderful image of Terry. The legacy of Terry and of Terrence Higgins Trust is something that none of us could have ever imagined in 1982; I’m so grateful for everything that has been achieved in Terry’s name.” -Rupert Whitaker, Co-Founder, Terrence Higgins Trust.

“The drawing is a celebration of Terry; his humanity, physicality and sexuality. The time I spent with his partner Rupert gave me a real sense of those facets of him. I came appreciate the man behind the name; his passions, strengths and vulnerabilities became very real. I wanted this portrait to offer the viewer a snapshot of the stages of his short and impactful life, and to show how those individual stages informed the whole.” - Curtis Holder, Artist.

Curtis Holder is a London-based artist who works primarily in graphite and coloured pencil to create large-scale portraits and figurative works on paper. His drawings are dynamic and tender, emerging in a wayward series of febrile lines to reveal a sense of his subjects’ form, movement and emotional intent. Preliminary pencil marks remain on the paper as part of his energetic process of capturing fleeting gestures and emotions with sensitivity and raw honesty. In 2020, Holder won Sky Arts Portrait Artist of the Year, a prestigious portraiture competition televised in the UK. Garnering further critical acclaim and awards for his work ongoing, Holder has exhibited widely in the UK and in Paris, and his work is held in private and public collections.

The National Portrait Gallery reopens on 22 June 2023, following a transformational redevelopment project, Inspiring People. Inspiring People has been made possible by major grants from the Blavatnik Family Foundation and The National Lottery Heritage Fund, thanks to money raised by National Lottery players, as well as major donations from the Garfield Weston Foundation, the Ross Foundation, Mildred and Simon Palley, Julia and Hans Rausing, the Clore Duffield Foundation, the David and Claudia Harding Foundation, Bjorn and Inger Saven, the Law Family Charitable Foundation, David and Molly Lowell Borthwick, the Deborah Loeb Brice Foundation and Art Fund. The National Portrait Gallery is grateful to these visionary supporters, alongside others who are making the building project and its related activity possible.