Exhibition images from The Makers: Portraits from Backstage exhibition featuring works by the National Theatre’s first Artist in Residence, Curtis Holder are released today.

The Makers: Portraits from Backstage free exhibition is now open to the public in the National Theatre’s Lyttelton Lounge.

Curated by Kate Bryan, broadcaster, writer and Global Director of Art for Soho House, The Makers: Portraits from Backstage is a love letter to the dynamic creative forces that exist behind the scenes of theatre. The Sky Arts Portrait Artist of the Year for 2020, Holder’s multi-layered pencil portraits capture a range of ‘makers’ at the National Theatre, including: wigs, hair and make-up assistants, prop and puppet makers, a deputy ladies’ cutter, a costume workroom trainee, stage technicians, and one of the National Theatre’s stage door supervisors. At once dynamic and tender, Holder’s portraits bring the backstage to the foreground and provide an uncanny psychological insight into his subjects.

The exhibition is free to enter and will close on 4 November 2023.

A full list of upcoming events is below.

Children’s self-portrait workshop

Sat 11 Feb, 10.30am-12.30pm

Lyttelton Lounge, Free, drop-in: no ticket booking required

Budding young artists can drop-in to our half term self-portrait workshop led by Curtis Holder, a chance to draw yourself through your own lens, rather than the camera lens! No booking necessary – just turn up and stay for as long as it takes you to complete your self-portrait. Materials provided, there will be separate tables for under 5s/5+.

This workshop is aimed at children (under 16s), and children must be supervised at all times.

Self-portrait workshop with Curtis Holder and Kate Bryan

Sat 15 April, 2pm-6pm

Lyttelton Lounge, £10 (includes a drink): booking opens end of January

Join us for an afternoon of drawing and conversation with Kate Bryan and Curtis Holder with surprise guest portrait artists. Set against the backdrop of Holder’s exhibition, you’ll be guided through creating a self-portrait in a relaxed session which will include informal conversations with Kate and Curtis, and advice and feedback from various artists throughout.

The ticket price includes a glass of house wine or a soft drink, redeemable during the event. Some materials and paper provided by Derwent; please bring your own if you wish to draw with specific materials.