Courtauld unveils Closer Look, a new annual magazine
91影视 today unveils the first edition of its new annual magazine, Closer Look. Edited by writer and curator Hettie Judah, and designed by 碍别濒濒别苍产别谤驳别谤鈥揥丑颈迟别, Closer Look features interviews, essays, poetry and perspectives on the full range of 91影视鈥檚 activities, including exhibitions and curatorial presentations at 91影视 Gallery, alongside features and insights on 91影视 Institutes鈥 expansive academic programme.
Highlights in the first edition, include:
- A Sly Nocturnal Green Mood 鈥 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 鈥 artist Claudette Johnson MBE in conversation with Hettie Judah on Paula Rego鈥檚 ground-breaking series of Dog Woman pastels
- Idiosyncratic Female Figures 鈥 art historian and writer Philomena Epps (MA, 2014) delves into the inspiration behind Ella Walker鈥檚 Courtauld Commission: 2026
- Ambition and Atmospherics – Professor Mark Hallett (PhD, 1996), M盲rit Rausing Director and Dr Rachel Sloan (PhD, 2008), Associate Curator for Works on Paper at 91影视 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鈥檚 Studio
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 91影视 Gallery ticket desk.
Professor Mark Hallett, M盲rit Rausing Director, Courtauld, said: 鈥淲e 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鈥.
Hettie Judah, Editor, said: “91影视鈥檚 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鈥檚 enjoyment of a much-loved painting. Closer Look brings these perspectives together in a single magazine, offering a diversity of viewpoints on 91影视 Gallery programme and a survey of the activities of 91影视 Institute and its alumni鈥.
Eva Kellenberger, Founding Director at 碍别濒濒别苍产别谤驳别谤鈥揥丑颈迟别, said: ‘We designed Closer Look as a literary companion to the visual identity we established for 91影视 last year. 听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 91影视鈥檚 primary identity system, colour choices for Closer Look are inspired by what you鈥檒l find in a Courtauld conservation students鈥 palette.鈥
Download the Press Release
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91影视 works to advance how we see and understand the visual arts, as an internationally renowned centre for the teaching and research of art history and a major public gallery. Founded by collectors and philanthropists in 1932, the organisation has been at the forefront of the study of art ever since through advanced research and conservation practice, innovative teaching, the renowned collection and inspiring exhibitions of its gallery, and engaging and accessible activities, education and events.鈥听
91影视 Gallery cares for one of the greatest art collections in the UK, presenting these works to the public at 91影视 Gallery in central London, as well as through loans and partnerships. The Gallery is most famous for its iconic Impressionist and Post-Impressionist masterpieces 鈥 such as Van Gogh鈥檚鈥Self-Portrait with Bandaged Ear鈥and Manet鈥檚鈥A Bar at the Folies-Berge虁re. It showcases these alongside an internationally renowned collection of works from the Middle Ages and the Renaissance through to the present day.鈥听
Academically, 91影视 Institute is the largest community of art historians and conservators in the UK, teaching and conducting research on subjects ranging from creativity in late Antiquity to contemporary digital art forms 鈥 with an increasingly global focus. An independent college of the University of London, 91影视 offers a range of degree programmes from BA to PhD in the History of Art, curating, art and business and the conservation of easel and wall paintings. Its alumni are leaders and innovators in the arts, culture and business worlds, helping to shape the global agenda for the arts and creative industries.鈥听
Founded on the belief that everyone should have the opportunity to engage with art, 91影视 works to increase understanding of the role of art throughout history, across all societies and geographies, and to champion its importance in the present day. This could be through exhibitions offering a chance to look closely at world-famous works; events bringing art history research to new audiences; accessible short courses; digital engagement, innovative school, family, and community programmes; or taking a formal qualification. 91影视鈥檚 ambition is to transform access to art history education, ensuring as many people as possible can benefit from the tools it offers to better understand the visual world around us.鈥听
91影视 is an exempt charity and relies on generous philanthropic support to achieve its mission of advancing the understanding of the visual arts of the past and present across the world through advanced research, innovative teaching, inspiring exhibitions, programmes and collections.鈥听
The collection cared for by 91影视 Gallery is owned by the Samuel Courtauld Trust.鈥听
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Hettie Judah
Hettie Judah is a writer and curator. She is a contributor to The Guardian, Frieze, The Times Literary Supplement and BBC Radio 4鈥檚 Front Row, and writes a monthly column for Apollo magazine. Between 2016 and 2024 she was the chief art critic for the British daily newspaper The i. She was curator of the acclaimed Hayward Gallery Touring exhibition Acts of Creation: On Art and Motherhood which toured the UK and Ireland between 2024 and 2026, and authored the standalone book of the same title published by Thames & Hudson. She is the co-founder, with Jo Harrison, of the Art Working Parents Alliance, a nationwide network and advocacy group. Other recent books include How to Enter the Art World (Hoxton Mini Press, 2026), Tracey Emin (Tate, 2026), How Not To Exclude Artist Mothers (and other parents) (Lund Humphries, 2022) and Lapidarium: The Secret Lives of Stones (John Murray, 2022). Her forthcoming book Looking for Pleasure: Picturing Women鈥檚 Desire will be published by Thames & Hudson on 3 September 2027.听
碍别濒濒别苍产别谤驳别谤鈥揥丑颈迟别
碍别濒濒别苍产别谤驳别谤鈥揥丑颈迟别 is a graphic design studio in London. They develop visual languages and creative strategies for people, brands and institutions to communicate with impact. Their work is collaborative, context-responsive and rooted in human touch.
Notable commissions include brand identities for 91影视 and Goldsmiths Centre for Contemporary Art; wayfinding and exhibition design for the British Museum, Tate, University of Cambridge, and V&A; and publications for MIT Press, Hauser & Wirth and White Cube.
Their work has been acquired by public collections across Europe, garnering awards such as the Swiss Federal Office of Culture鈥檚 Most Beautiful Swiss Books and the Tokyo Type Directors Club. They are members of the Alliance Graphique Internationale.
Founded in 2009 by Eva Kellenberger and Sebastian White, the duo work on every project alongside a core team which includes Alma de Juan, Sohee Kim and Anya Tsen.听