The National Theatre’s first-ever Artist in Residence, Curtis Holder, opens solo exhibition ‘The Makers: Portraits from Backstage’

I am excited to announce that my first solo institutional exhibition, The Makers: Portraits From Backstage, opens at the National Theatre on 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 working behind the scenes at the theatre.

As the National Theatre’s first Artist in Residence, I had the unique opportunity to spend months exploring every corner of the vast backstage world, capturing hundreds of quick drawings and sketches that reflect the dedication, work, and passion at play.

For this new exhibition, I have distilled my observations into a series of large, multilayered pencil portraits focusing 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 feature 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 27 January 2023 in the Lyttelton Lounge and is free to view.

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