BIOGRAPHY
Curtis Holder (b. 1968, Leicester) is a London-based artist known for his large-scale graphite and coloured pencil portraits and figurative works on paper. His practice is rooted in dialogue with his sitters, with drawings emerging through dynamic, febrile lines that trace the evolution of their relationship. Through this process, Holder brings visibility to people whose stories are often overlooked in mainstream narratives, revealing the tenderness, presence, and emotional resonance of each subject.
His work is held in the collections of the National Portrait Gallery, Leeds Art Gallery, Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery, MCC Museum at Lord’s Cricket Ground, and Soho House.
Holder first gained public attention after winning Sky Arts Portrait Artist of the Year (2020). His work has since been recognised through major institutional collaborations and awards, including The John Ruskin Prize (2024). In 2022, he became the first-ever Artist-in-Residence at the National Theatre, and in 2023 was commissioned by the National Portrait Gallery and Terrence Higgins Trust to create a posthumous portrait of Terry Higgins. From 2023 to 2024, he held an 18-month residency at Leeds Art Gallery with the UAL Decolonising Arts Institute, and in 2025 he was awarded a prestigious residency at Yaddo, Saratoga Springs, NY, USA.
Solo exhibitions include Portraits of Brotherhood at RBSA Gallery, Birmingham (2025) and at Guildford House Gallery (2024); Silent Echoes, Spoken Truths at Leeds Art Gallery (2024–25); Curtis Holder: Drawing Carlos Acosta at Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery (2024–25); The Makers: Portraits from Backstage at the National Theatre (2023); and Something Unspoken at 45 Park Lane, Dorchester Collection, London (2021–22). Selected group exhibitions include Pallant House Gallery, Saatchi Gallery, and the National Portrait Gallery.
Educated at Kingston University and Central Saint Martins, Holder is a member of Contemporary British Portrait Painters, The Society of Graphic Fine Art, and The Pastel Society. He has served as a selector for major national and international art competitions and collaborates with institutions to engage diverse audiences, fostering creativity and discussions on identity and representation.
Video: At work in the studio
Which coloured pencils do I use?
Discover which pencils Curtis uses in a life drawing session and in the studio.
Derwent Artist Ambassador
As a Derwent Artist Ambassador, Curtis promotes the art of drawing and helps Derwent to develop products that enable all artists to do great work.