An imposing bronze bust of Holocaust survivor Sir Ben Helfgott now stands among the images of royalty, prime ministers and entertainment icons in the National Portrait Gallery in central London.

Around 100 Yad Vashem UK Foundation supporters joined Sir Ben and the sculptor, Frances Segelman (Lady Petchey), for the dedication of the work.

Ms Segelman’s subjects run the celebrity gamut from the Queen to Vinnie Jones. But she told the JC she took particular pride in the sculpture of Sir Ben, who sat for her at a Yad Vashem UK event last year.

“As a subject he was quite sensational,” she recalled. “I had met him before and he looked so terribly frail. But then I realised that he wasn’t, because while I was sculpting him, the strength came out. Look at him now — he doesn’t want to sit down.”

Sir Ben professed himself delighted with the finished article, saying he had agreed to do it both for his children and as a memorial to Holocaust victims.

Guests included the chief curator of the National Portrait Gallery, Dr Alison Smith, who described the piece as a “wonderful” addition to its collection.

“It really helps to expand our narrative of British history in the 20th century, the people who made modern Britain and how it has welcomed émigrés and Holocaust survivors. Perhaps it’s that open spirit that enabled people like Ben Helfgott to go on and achieve extraordinary things.”

The bust had gone on display “at a key moment as Ben is [nearly] 90 and one of that last generation, so it is really important for generations to come”.

It also reflected a new emphasis at the gallery through a long-term
£35 million project, Inspiring People.

“We’re going to rebrand the National Portrait Gallery as the nation’s family album,” Dr Smith explained. “The idea is to make our collections even more accessible by improving the visitor experience.”

In the past, those featured in exhibited works “had to be eminent in some way. Now we’ve moved that to achievement and input, people with a story, creating a wider range of sitter. And the stories of Holocaust survivors are so important.”

Ms Segelman confided that “the most important part of my sculpting career” had been working with Sir Ben and other survivors. Four more sculptures were going to the National Holocaust Centre in Nottingham as permanent exhibits “and I’ve got a lot more to do”.