UNSEEN’ – PHOTOGRAPHY BY SIR ROD STEWARD, MEMBERS OF ARCTIC MONKEYS AND BLONDIE TO FEATURE AT EXHIBITION

“Thunderbird at CBGB” by Chris Stein will be on display and up for auction

On the evening of 28th November 2024, MENTAL AID, a charity dedicated to helping rebuild the lives of those suffering from acute mental health issues, is hosting an exclusive charity auction at the Iconic Images Gallery, the UK’s premier venue for music photography.

‘Unseen‘, put together in part by legendary photographer Tony McGee, will feature rare and personal photographs taken by some of the world’s most iconic musicians and artists, including Noel Gallagher, Bill Wyman, Sir Rod Stewart and more.

This one-of-a-kind event offers fans and art collectors the chance to own original prints captured by the musicians themselves, some of which have never been available to the public before. All proceeds from the auction will go directly to MENTAL AID and its programmes.  

Images on show will range from intimate portraits of bandmates – including a candid shot of Mick Jagger – to personal moments like an early morning sunrise captured on an iPhone. Nick Cave, Joan Armatrading, Neil Tennant (Pet Shop Boys), Mick Fleetwood and Suggs are among the number of stars whose work will feature.

MENTAL AID is founded by two father and son duos – Tony McGee (the prestigious fashion and music photographer, known for his work with stars like David Bowie, Kate Moss, and Madonna SEE TONY’S WORK HERE), filmmaker and actor Max McGee, Michael Goodall (who has worked in the music and fashion industry for decades and is now a dedicated to charity)  and Joe Goodall, actor and dedicated philanthropist. Their collective aim is to continue to support those in need whilst also spreading the awareness of mental illness.

Tony McGee says:

It was a photograph that David Bowie took of me in my studio in 1984, when I was shooting photos for his Let’s Dance Tour, that inspired the concept of ‘Musician Photographers’. Every artist in whichever medium has a story to tell and a photograph is often one of the best ways to tell it. I founded Mental Aid with my son Max alongside Michael & Joe Goodall to encourage creativity as a form of healing and to spread awareness of those suffering from mental illness.

MENTAL AID‘s ongoing mission is to provide essential support to individuals struggling with mental health challenges. This auction serves as a powerful reminder of how art can inspire change and foster healing.

NOTE: This will be a private event, however the photography will also be on auction for the public online from 28th November.

List of artists whose work will feature:

• Bill Wyman
• Chris Stein (Blondie)
• Joan Armatrading
• Jools Holland
• Kevin Godley (10CC)
• Matt Helders (Arctic Monkeys)
• Mick Fleetwood
• Neil Tennant (Pet Shop Boys)
• Nick Cave
• Noel Gallagher
• Pauline Black
• Sir Rod Stewart
• Suggs