Raphael Mazzucco, one of the world’s most influential fashion photographers, is set to swap his New York studio for the UK’s capital city this February.

A new exhibition of his work, self-titled ‘Raphael Mazzucco’, will run from 5th-21st February 2016 at Castle Fine Art on South Molton Street, Mayfair. There will also be an exhibition of his work at Birmingham’s Castle Fine Art in The Mailbox from 6th – 21st February.

A former professional soccer player and model, Mazzucco has photographed countless celebrities and created iconic images for some of the world’s best-known brands over his twenty year career, including Ralph Lauren, Victoria’s Secret and Guess Jeans. His photographs have also appeared across some of the world’s most noted media – Vogue, Playboy, Vanity Fair and Sports Illustrated to name a few. His worldwide reputation has made him the go-to photographer for some of today’s most famous faces such as Paris Hilton, Matt Damon and Dakota Fanning.

Deciding to swap the camera for canvas just over six years ago, Mazzucco’s arrival onto the art scene has been met with widespread critical acclaim, with Damien Hirst purchasing one of the artist’s collections for over $750,000.

Mazzucco’s mixed media works are strongly inspired by the female form and the natural landscape – two elements that constantly reoccur in his fashion photography. Working with the fashion shots he has taken, Mazzucco then builds a layered narrative through paint, collage, and hand-lettered texts, transforming the original photographs – a technique which has earned him a unique place in today’s contemporary art world.

He has exhibited all over the world, but was first introduced to the UK art market when he was signed by leading fine art publishers, Washington Green – a Birmingham based company – in 2014. After two successful exhibitions of his original works in London, ‘Montauk’ in 2014 and ‘Biophilia’ in 2015, his new exhibition will see signed limited editions of his works released for the first time.

Glyn Washington, Founder and Creative Director of Washington Green, said:

“Mazzucco’s work is cutting edge, eminently credible and hugely prestigious - I hadn’t seen anything like it before, and it excites me just as much today as it did when I first saw it. Having reached the pinnacle of his career in photography, his redirection into fine art has been brilliantly conceived and executed.”

In addition to his photography and fine art careers, Mazzucco has recently partnered with country superstar Keith Urban on a line of t-shirts as part of a charity project, released a book titled ‘Culo’ with music impresario, Jimmy Iovine and rap producer P Diddy, and even had a cameo appearance – playing himself – in hit TV series Entourage.

Mazzucco said:

“I’ve been very fortunate to exhibit my work all over the world, from Milan and Melbourne, to Hong Kong and New York City. However, I’m excited to exhibit in London again – I hope visitors to the gallery will enjoy this newly curated collection.”