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Science Museum COVID-19 Collecting Project
Katie Tomkins, Mortuary and Post-Mortem Services Manager by Roxana Halls
During the first national lockdown in spring 2020, artist Tom Croft started a series on Instagram entitled ‘Portraits for NHS Heroes’. Working in his studio, listening to the rolling news cycle of the pandemic, Croft found himself unable to work and wanting to help.
For Tom, ‘A portrait is a permanent physical record of someone’s existence. It also immortalises people, as the portraits are likely to last far longer than their subjects.’ He realised that sharing portraits of NHS workers would be one way to raise their status, say thank you, and immortalise their work for future generations. Over 13,000 paintings were created by artists around the world.
One of those portraits, Katie Tomkins, Mortuary and Post-Mortem Services Manager by Roxana Halls is now part of the Science Museum Group’s collection.
