Sumita - NHS Consultant

Timothy says: "I often like the subtle details of a portrait and what immediately drew me to Sumita's image were the indentations on her cheeks left from the mask. This, and the other two #portraitsforNHSheroes, have been a fascinating opportunity for me to document this unsettling period of our lives which has quite literally left its mark.

The first nurse portrait was started the day after the first Thursday hand clapping and yours was started the day after it stopped which is reflected in the newspaper clippings. Both nicely book-end this triptych which could almost be titled 'the faces behind the headlines'.

I am guessing Sumita took the photo on her phone, which tend to have short focal length lenses. When used close up these cause a ‘fish-eye’ effect, which adds an altered perspective to the portrait. This again adds to the unusual story these paintings tell."

Sumita says: "Hi, my job is consultant anaesthetist where I manage patients going for surgery including Covid patients. I also manage patients coming on labour ward to deliver babies. I also manage patients for trauma. My job includes training juniors and other health care staff."