Curtis Holder exhibits new work in The Royal Society of British Artists Bicentennial Exhibition

I am excited to be exhibiting a new drawing A Reading of 'The Problem With My Normal Penis’ at The Royal Society of British Artists (RBA) 200th Anniversary at Mall Galleries in London.

The work is a large multilayered portrait of photographer and artist George Dyer. Prior to the sittings George had been reading the book ‘The Problem With My Normal Penis’ by Obioma Ugoala and he brought it along with him. In the book, Ugoala looks at the problems with how race, sex and masculinity and are portrayed and experienced by Black men. I created the drawing as George read the book and we discussed it.

The work is part of a series of drawings titled ‘The Talk’ in which my sitters and I share our experiences of what it means to be Black men in today's society.

The Royal Society of British Artists (RBA) was founded by a group of painters in 1823 has remained one of the world's premier art societies, attracting world-renowned artists as members for nearly 200 years, including James McNeill Whistler, L S Lowry, Henry Moore and Bridget Riley.

The skill and passion of the artists is reflected in the high quality and creativity of works on display, from emerging artists to those well established in the art world. There are paintings, sculptures, prints and drawings, making this 200th Anniversary exhibition one of the most exciting figurative art shows in London this year.

Society members will be showcasing their work alongside 200 works by non-members chosen from over 4,000 submissions from the UK and beyond. Visitors will be able to enjoy a huge diversity of style, subject matter and media.

The exhibition runs 02 until 11 March 2023 at Mall Galleries in London.

A Reading of ‘The Problem With My Normal Penis’, coloured pencil on paper, 122 x 109 cm, 2022