Curator's Picks | turning the focus onto Raphael Mazzucco

It feels a prodigious period since we last welcomed Raphael Mazzucco to exhibit with us in the UK. His return to our shores this month heralds the unveiling of Grass Roots, and it’s a collection well worth the wait.

 We have come to expect much from this globally recognised name; singular artistry, a multi-disciplined approach to his craft and more charisma than any human has the right to possess. The bar is high, but his ambition and vision sit elevated higher than any earthly restrictions could dictate. Grass Roots, perhaps more than any previous body of work, spotlights Raphael’s unique way of working.

Two years in the making, Grass Roots takes its foundation from the time Raphael spent in Africa, on a shoot commissioned by Vogue. The raw photography demonstrates the total immersion for which Raphael is known, and leaves us in no doubt that his experiences there assuredly left their mark. He spoke of his process for Grass Roots, likening it to revisiting old diaries and photo albums, with a great affection and reverence for his subject matter; both of which are immediately apparent when viewing the art.

When we speak of Raphael Mazzucco, we speak of an individual who attracts, creates and has a keen eye for things of beauty; but this collection goes far beyond the superficial. It has a depth of feeling - no mean feat to convey through static art, let us be clear - that is thanks largely to the layer upon layer of detail and nuance he has executed in each piece. I can say little more than I envisage yet another tour de force for Raphael, and I will most certainly be among the first to visit and enjoy our Grass Roots exhibition in all its majestic glory.