Damian Le Bas
- Artist: Malgorzata Mirga-Tas
- Date: 2025
- Medium: acrylic and fabrics on canvas
- Dimensions: 66 7/8 in. x 47 1/4 in. (1700 mm x 1200 mm) overall
- Museum: The National Portrait Gallery
- Collection record: The National Portrait Gallery website
Listen to the free audio guide
About this artwork
In this portrait you see Damian Le Bas rendered in acrylic and fabrics on canvas by Malgorzata Mirga‑Tas. The figure sits centered, his gaze direct and thoughtful. Behind him the background hints at waves—an ocean motif that echoes his fascination with the sea, which also inspired his book *The Drowned Places* (2025). Le Bas appears as a writer, poet and filmmaker, a portrait that celebrates his recent Fellow of the Royal Society of Literature title. The work was lent by Mirga‑Tas for a short‑term loan, letting visitors experience this contemporary depiction of a Romani artist who has written *The Stopping Places* (2018).
See it in person
Damian Le Bas is in the collection of The National Portrait Gallery at St Martin's Place, London — free to enter. Point your phone at any artwork there and audioguide.london plays a free audio guide in six languages — no app download needed.
!['Dan beating the Phillistines [Philistines]' (Tom Johnson (Thomas Jackling); Tom Johnson (Thomas Jackling); William ('Bill') Ward; Joseph ('Joe') Ward; John Jackson) by Samuel William Fores](https://data.audioguide.london/images/Dan_beating_the_Phillistines_Philistines_Tom_Johnson_Thomas_Jackling_Tom_Johnson_Thomas_Jackling_William_Bill_Ward_Joseph_Joe_Ward_John_Jackson_Samuel_William_Fores_92a93c43.jpg)