Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.A newspaper seller is to have his image hung not once but three times in the National Portrait Gallery after a triptych of him was selected for the shortlist of the nation's most prestigious portrait award.
Jamie Routley's oil paintings of 49-year-old Tony Lewis, a newspaper vendor from Enfield, north London, are among four works selected for the 2012 BP Portrait Award. Mr Lewis, who has been selling newspapers in the Underground station at Barons Court for 14 years, met Routley after he painted a local Big Issue seller. He said the experience had been "life changing".
"I'm just in total shock, it's a great honour," he said. "I've been down to the National Portrait Gallery, I wasn't into art before. The depth of the painting and the colours he used, he's really brought out the personality. It's more a reflection of life rather than my work."
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments