25 October 2025 to 8 March 2026
at Nottingham Castle Museum & Art Gallery, NG1 6EL.
Lives in Motion: Stories of Migration from the 11th Century to the Present Day is a touring exhibition from the National Portrait Gallery, arriving at Nottingham Castle Museum & Art Gallery this October. Historically, migration has played a major role in Britain’s national life. It is the movement of people from one place to another, nationally or internationally, with those individuals making a place their home, on a permanent or temporary basis.
Lives in Motion features stories of migration spanning nearly 1000 years from the collections of the National Portrait Gallery and Nottingham City Museums and Galleries. It is a vibrant show with objects in a variety of media, including painting, sculpture, photography, print, and digital art.
It looks at the variety of reasons why people move and explores how leaving home and finding a new one in a different place can present opportunities but also challenges to somebody’s personal identity and sense of belonging.
Featuring a range of familiar names from throughout history such as William the Conqueror and George Frideric Handel, through to Freddie Mercury and Sir Mo Farrah, the exhibition is arranged chronologically with sections exploring royalty, fame and contemporary commissions by the National Portrait Gallery. While the stories portrayed are of individuals within the portraits, they also demonstrate the lived experience across time.
- Newly acquired bust of Mary Seacole, seen first in Nottingham and yet to be exhibited at the National Portrait Gallery.
- Nearly 1,000 years of migration stories told through portraiture
- Local commissions featuring Nottingham citizens and their journeys
- Works presented across media: painting, sculpture, photography, print, digital
To complement ‘Lives in Motion’, Nottingham Castle has also commissioned a series of large-scale portraits by regional artists of Nottingham citizens: ‘Transitions’ by Anthony Connelly (URBAN CANVAS), and ‘People in the Frame’ by Graham Lester George. These striking artworks celebrate and spotlight individual residents who have made — and continue to make — meaningful contributions to the city’s culture, community life, and well-being. Through their portraits and personal stories, the works explore what brought each person to Nottingham and the impact they’ve had on shaping the City’s identity.
Nottingham City Council’s Nigel Hawkins, Head of Culture & Libraries said:
“Nottingham is delighted to celebrate its ongoing partnership with the National Portrait Gallery, which has been working closely with Nottingham Museums for over two years to bring this remarkable selection of exclusive artworks to Nottingham Castle for the very first time.
This exhibition presents a powerful opportunity to reflect, connect, and celebrate the many individuals who have contributed to shaping a vibrant and inclusive society, and by extension, our City of Nottingham. It highlights the vital role people play in fostering a culture where everyone feels respected, valued, and empowered to thrive”.
The exhibition has been organised by the National Portrait Gallery as part of the National Touring Programme, and has been curated by Octavia Tam, an Art Fund Vivmar curatorial trainee, hosted by the National Portrait Gallery and Nottingham City Museums and Galleries. The Art Fund Vivmar Curatorial Traineeships are generously supported by The Vivmar Foundation. ‘Transitions’ has been commissioned by Nottingham City Museums and Galleries, with support from the Art Fund Vivmar Curatorial Traineeship.
Discover the exhibition and plan your visit: www.nottinghamcastle.org.uk/lives-in-motion
Tickets: Pay once, visit all year with Annual Pass (£15 adult) and Kids go free (15 and under, up to three per paying adult) or choose the ROVER ticket (£30 adult) for entry all year to Nottingham Castle, Wollaton Hall and Newstead Abbey.