Friday, 16 March 2018

United in Love, the first joint venture from former international model turned photographer Natalie Goldstein and Simon Docherty, leading music and media executive and music publisher. The exhibition at Alon Zakaim Fine Art, 5-7 Dover Street in Mayfair, will feature twelve photographic works in two sizes, in limited editions of 12. The exhibition opens on 24th April and closes on 8th May 2018.

Natalie’s influence from Helmut Newton and Herb Ritts can clearly be seen with the portrayal of muscular, athletic bodies in monumental poses. Yet tempered with her own innate style, as can be seen with use of natural fibres, feathers and body art to enhance and shield the body at the same time. The images have more than a hint of David Bowie in his Aladdin Sane period, as well as the superheroes from Marvel Comics; perhaps we need superheroes to fight the growing refugee crisis.

The theme of unity is further emphasised by the body art created by Pixie Lawrie and her team, who have transformed these healthy, athletic dancers from the Royal Ballet, the Conservatoire de Paris and the English National Ballet into androgynous silver creatives, devoid of race, colour or creed and solely identified by the national flags that adorn them.

The photographic images were directed by Natalie with the help of the choreographer Liane McRae from the Royal Ballet and the Royal Academy of Dance, and produced by Simon.



The United in Love art and fashion project is to raise awareness of the plight of the orphaned children, as well as the displaced adults, who slip through the cracks in the international refugee camps, often becoming victims of the ever-burgeoning humanitarian crisis. A percentage of the sales will be donated to stand alone projects in key refugee camps in more than 40 countries at the grass roots level, working with charities such as the International Rescue Committee, run by David Milliband. Some of the funds will also enable several charities working specifically with leading doctors who assist in rescuing many lives in both the camps and warzones. The national flags of the USA, the UK, Russia, Germany and France have been chosen in this first exhibition to illustrate the international unity needed to achieve a permanent solution to this human tragedy.

Both Natalie and Simon passionately believe in supporting grass roots charities in refugee camps, who are providing crucial counselling and emotional support for many adults and traumatised children, as well as schooling and resettlement solutions. In addition, their message of needing to stand together to help is seen in the United in Love images.

www.unitedinlove.co.uk

Notes to Editors:
ABOUT UNITED IN LOVE

United In Love, the creation of Natalie Goldstein, the international photographer, with many years in the art and fashion world, and Simon Docherty who for more than two decades owned and ran the renowned media / music investment management company Pier, which he sold in 2016.

Natalie and Simon founded this art and fashion project in 2017 to raise money and support for the refugees whose lives, homes and families have been devastated by conflicts and disasters globally. United in Love will raise awareness and money through its creative projects and exhibitions, working with global organisations in more than 40 countries, where people are in severe humanitarian crisis. Organisations such as the International Rescue Committee run by David Miliband.

These charity organisations go on giving great access to proper healthcare and vaccinating vulnerable children against life threatening diseases. Providing schooling in many refugee camps, and training teachers and support workers. They provide counselling care and emotional support to many vulnerable people, helping reunite families or caring for many orphaned children. Setting up and controlling the many resettlement support centres and camps providing safety, food and education to so many refugees newly arriving from these crisis torn places.
Ivana Conte has now joined the team to help design and resource the fashion products that will be using the images to promote the art and awareness of United in Love.

The dancers used in the images, Kate Byrne, Nahia Gil, Victoria Bew, Rachael Crocker and Anna Walsh are all highly trained international ballet dancers.


NATALIE GOLDSTEIN

Natalie Goldstein is an intuitive photographer. Having spent years in front of the camera as a model, Natalie developed her own unique understanding of the profession, both technically and artistically. Natalie’s eye is drawn to the aesthetics of the human form, beyond merely the body beautiful. Her subjects are poised and positioned recalling classical proportions. They are athletic, graceful with refined elegant lines. Natalie’s work has been compared to Helmut Newton, in the portrayal of the female form. She also draws influence from Richard Avedon, whose portraits blur the line photography and fine art. As well as Herb Ritts’ composition and unique style. Natalie grew up surrounded by fashion and recognised that her photography had to be more than fashion editorial work and project iconic, perhaps provocative images.

SIMON DOCHERTY

Simon Docherty has been based back in London for over 25 years, having spent several years after college in the US as a session musician and singer primarily working in America. Later he worked for an investment management company with media and music clients. He then founded the media investment company Pier, which he ran for over 20 years, before selling it in 2016. He has several other business interests including a music publishing and production company Love Ya Work, working with new and existing artists and songwriters, and he is an original shareholder of 808 Whisky, owned by several other music industry people including the well own DJ Pete Tong and producer Tommy D. Since selling Pier, Simon has wanted to devote more time to charitable causes and with United in Love, he wants to support charities working to alleviate the global refugee crisis.

ALON ZAKAIM FINE ART
Alon Zakaim Fine Art strives to be a leader in Impressionist, Modern and Contemporary art. Dealing in a wide range of work, the gallery exhibits a distinguished collection of high quality paintings and sculptures. The gallery aims to provide a knowledgeable, efficient and accessible service to all their clients. Throughout the calendar year, Alon Zakaim Fine Art presents a diverse sequence of solo and group exhibitions to the public from their Mayfair gallery. Their programme features a wide breadth and depth of artists, with only the highest quality works selected. Alongside the major Impressionist artists including Monet, Sisley, Renoir and Pissarro, and key Modern works by artists such as Picasso, Leger, and Chagall, the gallery features solo exhibitions of both up and coming artists and established names on the contemporary art market.

Press Enquiries
Russell Cassleton Elliott
07808 403 963
russell@cassletonelliott.com

Alon Zakaim Fine Art
5-7 Dover Street
London W1S 4LD
020 7287 7750
gallery@alonzakaim.com
www.alonzakaim.com

United in Love
Simon Docherty & Natalie Goldstein
simon@unitedinlove.co.uk
natalie@unitedinlove.co.uk
Suite 374, 19-21 Crawford Street
London W1H 1PJ
www.unitedinlove.co.uk