2020 | SKY ARTS PORTRAIT ARTIST OF THE YEAR
Curtis Holder first gained public attention after winning Sky Arts Portrait Artist of the Year (2020), a moment that introduced his drawing practice to a wide audience and led to a commission to draw renowned ballet dancer and Director of Birmingham Royal Ballet, Carlos Acosta, for Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery.
During the competition, Holder completed four-hour live sittings as well as portraits at his own pace in the studio, showcasing the immediacy, sensitivity and expressive depth of his work. Throughout the series he portrayed a number of prominent figures, including comedian, actor and activist Eddie Izzard, author Bernardine Evaristo, drag performer The Vivienne, as well as his partner Steve and their whippet, bringing his dynamic, observational approach to a diverse group of sitters.
In 2023 he returned to the programme for Portrait Artist of the Decade, joining the winners of the first nine series to draw actor Dame Judi Dench. Presented below are portraits created during his time on the show.
Since then, Holder’s career has developed through major institutional collaborations and commissions, residencies and exhibitions.
Carlos Acosta, coloured pencil on paper, 150 x 120 cm, 2020
Curtis Holder and Carlos Acosta at Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery, 2020
Curtis Holder drawing Carlos Acosta, 2020
Dame Judi Dench, coloured pencil on paper, 120 x 90 cm, 2023
Curtis Holder and Dame Judi Dench at Portrait Artist of the Decade, 2023
Curtis Holder drawing Dame Judi Dench, 2023
Family, coloured pencil on paper, 125 x 130 cm, 2020
Eddie Izzard, coloured pencil on paper, 80 x 120 cm, 2020
Curtis Holder and Eddie Izzard at Portrait Artist of the Year, 2020
Bernadine Evaristo, coloured pencil on paper, 120 cm x 120 cm, 2020
Curtis Holder drawing Bernadine Evaristo, 2020
The Vivienne, coloured pencil on paper, 120 x 60 cm, 2020
Curtis Holder drawing The Vivienne, 2020
Self-portrait, coloured pencil on paper, 59 x 84 cm, 2020
Curtis Holder with his self-portrait submission, 2020
Carlos Acosta limited edition print
A limited edition print of Curtis Holder’s portrait Carlos Acosta is available in the shop.