The Courtauld today unveils the first edition of its new annual members’ magazine, Closer Look.
Edited by writer and curator Hettie Judah, and designed by Kellenberger–White, Closer Look features interviews, essays, poetry and perspectives on the full range of the Courtauld’s activities, including exhibitions and curatorial presentations at the Courtauld Gallery, alongside features and insights on the Courtauld Institute’s expansive academic programme.
Printed copies of Closer Look are available exclusively to current Courtauld Members, who will receive the magazine by post, and to new members for a limited time only at the Courtauld Gallery ticket desk.
Highlights in the first edition include:
- A Sly Nocturnal Green Mood – artist Salman Toor in conversation with author Gemma Rolls-Bentley (MA, 2009) ahead of the opening of Salman Toor: Someone Like You on Friday 2 October
- Unforgiving Marks – artist Claudette Johnson MBE in conversation with Hettie Judah on Paula Rego’s ground-breaking series of Dog Woman pastels
- Idiosyncratic Female Figures – art historian and writer Philomena Epps (MA, 2014) delves into the inspiration behind Ella Walker’s Courtauld Commission: 2026
- Ambition and Atmospherics – Professor Mark Hallett (PhD, 1996), Märit Rausing Director and Dr Rachel Sloan (PhD, 2008), Associate Curator for Works on Paper at the Courtauld discuss the artists in The Griffin Catalyst Exhibition: Turner and the Landscape Generation. Journeys in Watercolour, and why we should view them as radicals
- Men in Smocks – Paul Laib in the Artist’s Studio
Professor Mark Hallett, Märit Rausing Director, Courtauld, said: “We wanted to create something that would delight our members. Something that offers the same rigour and attention to detail that underpins everything we do, but in a beautiful, highly readable magazine format”.
Hettie Judah, Editor, said: “The Courtauld’s diverse activities are united by the act of looking, whether in the close scrutiny of researchers and conservators, the broad overview of a curator, or a visitor’s enjoyment of a much-loved painting. Closer Look brings these perspectives together in a single magazine, offering a diversity of viewpoints on the Courtauld Gallery programme and a survey of the activities of the Courtauld Institute and its alumni”.
Eva Kellenberger, Founding Director at Kellenberger–White, said: ‘We designed Closer Look as a literary companion to the visual identity we established for the Courtauld last year. Its smaller format feels good in the hand and invites you to keep reading. Bold, expressive titles link short articles into a longer read, taking cues from italicised artwork captions and flamboyant weekend newspaper supplements. Consistent with the Courtauld’s primary identity system, colour choices for Closer Look are inspired by what you’ll find in a Courtauld conservation students’ palette.”
Courtauld Members get free unlimited entry to all exhibitions, access to presale tickets, priority booking to selected events, advance notice of art history short courses, exclusive events, discounts and more. Join at courtauld.ac.uk/members
