Curtis Holder, winner of Sky Arts Portrait Artist of the Year 2020, will unveil his solo exhibition at Guildford House Gallery from Saturday 6 July to Saturday 28 September 2024.

Curtis Holder: Portraits of Brotherhood will feature a compelling selection of large-scale figurative drawings depicting intimate portrayals of Black men , rendered in vibrant coloured pencil on paper.

The exhibition will open to the public at Guildford House Gallery , Guildford, GU1 3AJ, from Saturday 6 July 2024, available to see over the gallery’s opening hours Tuesday – Saturday, 10am – 4:30pm, with last entry at 4pm.

Drawn from life in conversation with his sitters, Curtis Holder’s works offer a multifaceted view of his subjects, exploring identity, masculinity and emotion in the face of society’s stereotypes. ‘‘Behind each drawing lies an unspoken narrative that we share in common – stories of conflict, exclusion and vulnerability interwoven with stories of perseverance, creativity and hope,’’ says Curtis Holder.

Curtis Holder, A Reading of The Problem With My Normal Penis , 2022,
coloured pencil on paper, 122 x 109 cm
Visitors can expect to see more than 20 works on paper, including two monumental room-length drawings, 10 large-scale multi-layered portraits and a selection of exploratory studies in both coloured and graphite pencil.

Exploring the intersection between drawing and dialogue, Curtis Holder’s works emerge from profound engagements with his subjects. ‘‘The subjects are men of different ages, backgrounds and occupations including; a dancer, an artist, a photographer, a business owner, a theatre director and a fashion model,’’ says the artist. ‘‘The final drawings reveal something of the inner world of individuals who would otherwise be unlikely to share this deeply personal part of themselves.’’

Curtis Holder’s drawings invite viewers to look beyond the surface. As the artist explains, “I feel these works ask the viewer to look closer, not only at the febrile lines that form the figures in my drawings, but also inward at their own perceptions about the people looking back at them.”

Curtis Holder, Cameron Slater Photography
Installed within the historic context of Guildford House Gallery, a 17th century Grade 1 Listed townhouse, Curtis Holder’s works will be displayed in an intimate space with a rich history.

Guildford Borough Council Heritage Lead, Amanda Hargreaves, says, ‘‘We are excited to be hosting this solo show from award winning artist Curtis Holder. Especially curated for Guildford House Gallery, this exhibition of Curtis Holder’s dynamic drawings is sure to be a highlight of our 2024 programme. It should be a treat for all art lovers.’’

The exhibition will open to the public from Saturday 6 July 2024 to Saturday 28 September 2024 , available to see at Guildford House Gallery, Guildford, GU1 3AJ, over the gallery’s opening times Tuesday – Saturday, 10am – 4:30pm, with last entry at 4pm.

Alongside the exhibition, there will be a number of public events at Guildford House Gallery, including drawing workshops facilitated by Curtis Holder. There will be more information and details to follow.

Key dates:
· Exhibition Opens: Saturday 6 July 2024
· Exhibition Closes: Saturday 28 September 2024
· Opening times: 10am – 4:30pm daily, last entry 4pm (Tuesday – Saturday, closed Sunday – Monday