Photos by Andrea Vecchiato
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Last day tomorrow for the exhbition The Sitter not the Artist, part 2, at The Gallery Soho. Presented by Bernie Katz (The Groucho Club) it is comprised of a series of nude photographic portraits of women, both celebrities and iconic Soho faces, photographed by Andrea Vecchiato as part of a three year project to raise money and awareness for autism.
Jaime Winstone who is among the women photographed said: “When my little mate Bernie ask to join his naked army women to raise awareness of autism and to support The National Autistic Society, my answer was of course yes. I feel very privileged to be part of this show.”
Sadie Frost who also posed naked for the show said: “I am deeply privileged to have been asked to be part of this great cause. As a mother myself, I understand the demands of being a parent even though there is no greater love than that between a mother and a child. We must do all that we can to help children, and this charity does exactly that. Well done that team!
I am thrilled to be in a position to help and will do anything I can to raise awareness for The National Autistic Society.”
Photographed by Andrea Vecchiato with headstyling by Johnnie Sapong, the beautiful collection of imagery, follows on from last year’s exhibition, which featured nude males from the same photography and styling team. Next year will see the culmination of the project with the release of a limited edition book featuring photography from across the 3 years.
Bernie Katz, (of Groucho Club) who put together the project, inspired by a family connection to autism said: “Autism is a unique and misunderstood disability, which still confuses and can at times be frightening. With a nephew who has autism I am aware that it is the parents that take most of the burden as unfortunately the child is mostly unaware. The Sitter Not the Artist is a way to raise awareness for the condition and to raise money for The National Autistic Society, which does so much great work to support those that spend their lives supporting those with the condition”
Photographer Andrea Vecchiato said: “In taking these photographs I tried as best as I could to lose any mannerism, or hint of style that could reveal the work as mine. This is about these people who have the courage to say: ‘Here I am. This is me. No make up. No artifice, and are willing to be photographed, unclothed to help raise money for and awareness of a really worthwhile cause.”
Johnnie Sapong said: “We arrive into this world naked at birth and leave this world naked when we die. These are the only two certainties in life. So this was a great starting point for us. In stripping everything back we were able to produce some great photographs that will hopefully raise a lot of money for a great cause.”
Alastair Graham, Director of Fundraising for The National Autistic Society, said: “We are delighted that Bernie has chosen to host this event for the second year in a row. As well as enjoying a wonderful exhibition, guests will have their chance to lay hands on some exclusive photos, while raising vital funds for The National Autistic Society. Autism affects around 1 in 100 people in the UK and touches the lives of many more. Every penny raised on the night will help us to continue to provide vital services and support for people living with autism.”
Dawn Porter (Journalist in UK) said: “The National Autistic Society do such great work, that when Bernie Katz and Andrea Vecchiato asked me to drop my clothes to support them I didn’t think twice. Turns out I was in great company too. The exhibition is full of all sorts of women who all wanted de-robe for the sake of Autism, and it was humbling to see how many people were willing to support them. I am honoured to have been a part of it”.
