Gear -- 8 days ago
Words: Violet
“A picture is a poem without words.” Horace
These words are truly brought to life in the form of Andy Gotts MBE, the first recipient of the Ruhan Arts Foundation. Gotts’ black and white ‘Behind the Mask’ exhibition – filled with over 100 photos capturing the raw energy, delving beneath the exterior of 60 years of Bafta nominees – is currently being shown in the West Wing of Somerset House.
The exhibition’s launch, which took place last week, brought together many famous faces from the arts giving them the first chance to see the photographs which “represent an expression of reality that offers a clarity and starkness in their honesty.”
For TGJ, the photos represent a breath of air. They are humorous, poignant and, most importantly, honest. This is a project than has spanned two years with subjects including the likes of Jeff Bridges, Daniel Day-Lewis, Al Pacino, John Hurt, Sidney Poitier, Robert De Niro, Cate Blanchett and Tilda Swinton.
‘This is one of the most stunning portfolios of realism that undermines the unrealistic world in which we expect our film and television heroes to exist. From the moment I saw Andy’s images, I was captivated and, irrespective of his charm, there was no question in my mind that he should be the recipient of the first RAF funding,’ said Andy Ruhan, Patron and Founder of the Ruhan Arts Foundation.
Spokesman and Curator of RAF, Byron Rose, Chairman of Rose Capital, added, “RAF was founded on the simple principle of respect for and appreciation of the arts – whatever spectrum that art may take. To have brought this beautiful collection together with Bafta, within the stunning and historic setting of Somerset House is a precedent that the foundation wishes to set for all of the artists that we try to help – taking quality to its maximum potential.”
The exhibition will run until 7th February and, following this, the photos will be projected against Bafta’s HQ on Piccadilly over the weekend of 15th-16th February.
For more information, visit somersethouse.org.uk
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