
Frances
Barber
Give me my robe. Put on my crown.
Arsalan Sattari-Hicks (StageBlock, 2023)
Medium: Long form video, code, computer, HD speakers, UHD 4K display, sensors.
Unique Performance & Living Portrait
Aquired
1/1 Artwork | Artist's Frame from 32"
Guide Price on Request
From a varying edition of 10 | Living Portrait | Artist's Frame from 27"


The Sitter
Frances Barber is an actress of fearless intensity and electric stage presence. A muse to the Pet Shop Boys (Closer to Heaven) and a veteran of the RSC, her career is defined by roles that demand danger and wit. From the grit of Prick Up Your Ears and Sammy and Rosie Get Laid to the legal glamour of Silk and Doctor Who, she brings a ferocious, unapologetic energy to every performance. An Olivier Award nominee, she is a master of high style and deep emotion.
The Performance
In Cleopatra’s defiant “Give me my robe, put on my crown…”, Barber embodies the queen’s grandeur and fierce resolve. Her portrayal transforms Cleopatra’s final moment into a commanding declaration of sovereignty and self-determination, capturing an indomitable spirit that celebrates life, love, and legacy with passionate clarity.
The Sitting
November 2023 - London, UK
Exhibition History
1 November 2024 - 31 January 2025, The Royal Exchange, London.





