Curating

National Theatre, January-November 2023

A love letter to the dynamic creative forces behind the scenes at the National Theatre. The first artist in residence at the National Theatre, Curtis Holder created intimate, multi-layered pencil portraits capturing the expertise of the theatre-makers who work at the institution. Holder has explored every corner of the vast backstage areas selecting people to be part of the exhibition. His subjects range from wigs, hair and make-up assistants, to prop and puppet makers, deputy ladies cutter, costume workroom trainees, technicians, and stage door supervisors. Normally it’s their work that captivates audiences, but this exhibition puts them centre-stage and celebrates the people behind the craft.