The National Theatre’s first ever artist-in-residence Curtis Holder opens solo exhibition this January

I am excited to announce that my first solo institutional exhibition The Makers: Portraits From Backstage opens at the National Theatre on the 27 January 2023.

Curated by Kate Bryan, broadcaster, writer and Global Director of Art for Soho House, the exhibition is a love letter to the dynamic creative forces that exist behind the scenes at the theatre.

As the National Theatre’s first artist-in-residence I’ve had the unique opportunity to spend months exploring every corner of the vast backstage world, capturing hundreds of quick drawings and sketches of the dedicated work and passion at play.

For this new exhibition I’ve distilled my observations into a series of large multilayered pencil portraits which focus on a selection of ‘makers’ including; wigs hair and make-up assistants, prop and puppet makers, costume designers and makers, stage technicians, and a stage door supervisor.

The exhibition will also incorporate a number of public events including family drawing workshops and a live in-conversation portrait sitting. You can find out more about these events on the National Theatre website.

The Makers: Portraits From Backstage will open on 27th January 2023 in the Lyttelton Lounge and is free to view. 

The Costume Maker, coloured pencil and acrylic gouache. 120 x 150 cm, 2022