At Highgrove Online School, we are incredibly proud to celebrate the achievements of our students and alumni who are making a real impact in the world. This autumn, the remarkable Ben Salmi family have been featured in the National Portrait Gallery’s new exhibition, Artists First: Contemporary Perspectives on Portraiture, which showcases changemakers from the African and Caribbean diaspora whose work is shaping life in the UK today.
The exhibition, created by artist Giana De Dier, takes inspiration from the carte-de-visite tradition of the 19th century and reimagines it through contemporary collage techniques. Instead of studio backdrops and props, De Dier layers meaningful objects and locations to highlight the personal journeys and contributions of her sitters. Among those chosen for this project are the Ben Salmis, a family whose dedication to empowerment, creativity and community change has touched countless lives.
A Family of Changemakers
At the heart of the family is Sabrina Ben Salmi, an author, speaker and personal development consultant who has inspired her five children to believe in their abilities and follow their dreams. Together, they have built a family-led organisation dedicated to empowering communities and supporting creatives across many sectors.
Each of Sabrina’s children has carved their own path of influence:
- Tray-Sean has championed financial literacy, educating young people on how to build confidence with money and secure their futures.
- Paolo is a passionate climate change activist, raising awareness and encouraging action to protect our planet.
- The whole family have worked collectively to create initiatives, write books and share their experiences with the aim of helping other families build lasting legacies.
In the exhibition portraits, viewers will also see symbols of their collective identity: the family’s signet ring and published books, both representing their commitment to empowerment and their ambition to help families across the globe.
From Highgrove to the National Portrait Gallery
As members of the Highgrove Online School community, the Ben Salmi family remind us of what is possible when education is paired with ambition, resilience and creativity. Their feature in the Artists First exhibition places them alongside historic and contemporary leaders whose achievements continue to shape culture and society.
We celebrate the Ben Salmi family not just for their individual successes, but also for their powerful example of collaboration, unity and purpose. Their story is a reminder to all of us at Highgrove that education is not only about personal growth, but also about making a difference in the world.
The Artists First: Contemporary Perspectives on Portraiture exhibition is now on display in Room 22 of London’s National Portrait Gallery, and we invite our community to visit and see the inspiring portrait of the Ben Salmi family in person.
