Photography Book Thomas Dane Gallery: Brett Lloyd – Napoli, Napoli, Napoli

Photographer Brett Lloyd captures the lyrical beauty of Naples in a new exhibition at Thomas Dane Gallery and an eponymous book. All proceeds from the sale of the merchandise will be entirely donated to restoration projects promoted by Friends of Naples Onlus

Brett Lloyd is pleased to present his photographic book “Napoli, Napoli, Napoli” together with an exhibition of select photographs from the catalogue. After Milan, New York, London and Paris, Brett Lloyd has naturally chosen Naples as the last stop on Saturday, April 1, at Thomas Dane Gallery (Via F. Crispi 69 – from 12pm – 6pm), presenting the first print run of the book, with three limited editions in protective gold covers and a selection of photograph prints. The event is organised in partnership with and to support Friends of Naples, a non-profit association that promotes the restoration and conservation of the art heritage of Naples.

Featuring 135 new black-and-white photographs, “Napoli, Napoli, Napoli” is published by Mörel Books and designed by Milan-based MASCIOTTI. The book captures “a day in Naples”, a sunrise-to-sunset excursion that meditates on classicism, the cathartic power of the sea, and the unique influence of the ancient landscape. Lloyd’s camera does not just hold a mirror to the beauty of Naples, rather, it asks its subjects to see themselves as participating in a process where beauty is continuous with social rhythms that span childhood, adolescence, adulthood, and old age.

“I am thrilled to release this book, which is the culmination of over 12 years of passion for the city and its people. The book is for the friends I have made over the years in Naples who have generously shared their home with me”.

Alongside the launch of the book, T-shirts and baseball caps created by the Neapolitan design team Vienmnsuonno1926 have been made, to promote local businesses. All proceeds from the sale will go to Friends of Naples.

“One of the best consequences of my book release was the chance to work with Friends of Naples charity. Ever since I saw their beautiful restoration of the Mattia Preti fresco on the Porta San Gennaro city gate, I’ve been searching for a chance to support them. The 10,000 euros raised by the sale of the T-shirts and baseball caps in Milan will go towards a part of the project under way in the Capece Minutolo Chapel in the Duomo. The money will go towards a brand-new lighting design system for the chapel which will illuminate the restored 13th century frescos for everyone to enjoy”.

“Friends of Naples and Brett Lloyd share the same unconditional passion for Naples, a sentiment that has always guided our association’s projects. – says Alberto Sifola, President of Friends of Naples – Our city requires a renewed and heartfelt participation. We are honoured that an artist like Brett Lloyd has chosen our association; his book is a tribute to Naples two times over. Our association, made up of art historians, technicians and artisans, will do its utmost, with care and diligence, to invest the proceeds from the sales of the work he has so generously offered, in restoring the city’s many artistic and historical treasures”.

On Sunday, April 2 (from 12pm to 6pm) it will be possible to admire Brett Lloyd’s photographic work at Hostaria La Vela in Marechiaro, Naples with an exhibition of a selection of 24 photographs from his book.

NAPOLI, NAPOLI, NAPOLI by Brett Lloyd
Print run 1500 copies. 180 pages
100 Limited Edition copies. Boxed with a signed print. Size, 35cm x 28cm. 135 Photographs
Publisher: Mörel Publishing
Art Direction / Book Design: MACSIOTTI Printed by: Corrado Musmeci at Fontegrafica Illustrator: Gio Pastori
Edited by Alister Mackie

Brett Lloyd

Brett Lloyd was born in the north of England, despite being based in London however, he spends most of his time living and working in Italy, specifically Naples.

Lloyd’s fashion and documentary work combines this love with contemporary culture, the human condition and a love for classical figurative art. His love for the paintings and sculpture of the Italian Renaissance and the films of neorealist Italian cinema are readily twisted into a modern context in his emotive, narrative-driven aesthetic.

What arrives from this mix is a joy for life and beauty, the charged sexuality of teenage life with a slight undercurrent of danger that Naples doesn’t hesitate to provide. His vignettes of daily life on the beach in the southern Italian city have informed his work for major fashion brands such as Dior, Louis Vuitton, Armani, Moncler, Fendi and Brioni.

Following his debut book “Scugnizzi” published by Dashwood Books in 2014, “Napoli, Napoli, Napoli” is Lloyd’s first major book and the most substantial collection of his photography from Naples to date.

Brett’s frequent editorial contributions can be seen in Vogue Italia, British Vogue, Another Magazine, Vanity Fair, Document Journal, Purple, Dust and Dazed & Confused.

Friends of Naples Onlus is a cultural charity founded in May 2018 by a group of professionals and friends deeply committed to promoting the restoration and conservation of the priceless artistic and cultural heritage of Naples. The charity engages, on a daily basis, with the heritage protection authorities, archives, museums, fine arts institutions, academies and universities, triggering successful public-private partnerships. The charity has implemented many projects, from the restoration of the fresco by Mattia Preti on the gate of San Gennaro to the Capece Minutolo Chapel in Naples’ Cathedral, from the cell of St. Thomas Aquinas at the Convent of San Domenico Maggiore to the roof of the Basilica of San Giacomo degli Spagnoli. Ongoing projects include the sundial obelisk in the Villa Comunale, the door of the City Hall and contemporary artworks in the Materdei metro-arte station, for which donations can be made via www.friendsofnaples.org.