LUAP Hidden London
Artist Paul Robinson aka LUAP shows us his hidden London
LUAP is the alias of Paul Robinson a Contemporary British Artist based in London. He is known for his photography and paintings which depict a Pink Bear which he uses as a focus within his artworks.
Best Restaurant in London and Why?
Wright Brothers, Borough Market – 11 Stoney Street, London SE1 9AD
LUAP: This is one of my favourite spots, especially in the summer. There is something really grounding about sitting outside with a close friend, a glass of wine in hand, and a pint of prawns to peel at your own pace. It is simple food, full of flavour, with no fuss and no performance. I love prawns, and here they are always fresh and perfect. Borough Market itself has this energy about it – a living, breathing part of the city where all the senses are engaged. It is great for people watching, and you can sit there for hours just soaking it all in.
Favourite London Pub or Bar and Why?
LUAP: I do not really have one favourite bar. For me it is not about the place but the people I am with. Any bar can be brilliant if you are surrounded by good friends, laughter, and the right kind of conversation. The right group can turn an average room into something memorable. Though I do appreciate a bar that has a bit of character, some good lighting, and maybe a vinyl record playing in the background.
I do not have a single favourite pub. I am drawn to character over consistency. Any pub can be the right one if the people are right, the energy is good, and the conversation flows. I love the places that feel lived-in – worn wood, old signage, stories in the air. That said, I do have a soft spot for the Bermondsey Beer Mile. I often go there with my close mate Tom. There is something special about walking that stretch, dropping into different breweries, catching up properly without distraction. It is laid back, honest, and full of interesting characters. The beers are great, obviously, but it is more about the rhythm of the walk and the shared moments along the way
Name an Area of London You Love
LUAP: Soho. There is just something about it. It is a blend of creativity, madness, and history all packed into a few winding streets. Soho feels alive at all hours. You never know what or who you will bump into. I like the unpredictability of it. It is one of the few places in London where anything still feels possible. It is where I go when I want to feel the pulse of the city.
Name One Gallery You Always Go To in London
Tate Britain – Millbank, London SW1P 4RG
LUAP: Tate Britain is a place I keep returning to. It is a calm, reflective space that holds a deep history while still embracing contemporary work. The atmosphere there is very different from other galleries – more introspective. I often find myself standing in front of a Turner painting, getting lost in the chaos and serenity of the brushwork. It is a space that reminds me of the emotional power of art without needing to shout.
Favourite London Boutique or Shop
Maharishi – 2-3 Great Pulteney Street, London W1F 9LY
LUAP: Maharishi is more than just a fashion brand – it feels like a philosophy. I love how they merge military influences with peaceful messaging, and the way their designs make you think. There is a real attention to detail in the clothes, and the store itself feels more like a gallery than a shop. I admire how their aesthetic always connects back to something bigger, something thoughtful. It is a place where fashion becomes a conversation.
Where Can You Be Found on a Saturday Night in London?
LUAP: Usually somewhere between Soho and Hackney Wick. Soho for its atmosphere – all the noise, the music, the weird and wonderful people. Hackney Wick for its underground energy and the art scene. I like the feeling of being in motion on a Saturday night, not tied to one location. Sometimes I will be at an exhibition opening, other times just sitting with friends in a backstreet bar or warehouse space, talking ideas late into the night.
It is Sunday in London – What Do You Do?
LUAP: Sundays are for slowing down. I often cook a proper Sunday lunch at home – something traditional, like a roast – and take the time to switch off a bit. If I am out, I like to walk along the canals. Starting in the east and heading west, just following the water. I love the pubs and quiet paths near Wapping. There is something meditative about walking that route. It gives you space to think, or to stop thinking altogether.
Describe Where You Go for Peace and Quiet in London
LUAP: The canals are where I often go to clear my head. Walking along the water, away from the roads and the noise, the city feels different. It becomes softer, more fluid. I also like the Kyoto Garden in Holland Park. It is beautifully designed and has a kind of stillness that is rare in London. It is a place where you can hear yourself again.
LUAP name one thing you must do when you come to London
LUAP: Walk the canals. It is like stepping into the city’s bloodstream. They connect so many different parts of London – you see the contrasts, the changes, the history and the modern world side by side. It is where you can feel the rhythm of the city without all the noise.
Where to Find LUAP and his Work
Website: www.luapstudios.co.uk
Instagram: @luap
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Our editor at large Daniel Syrett, or SYRETT, which the artist is better known as, brings his extensive knowledge of the fashion and art industries to his role here at IRK Magazine. While SYRETT is recognized for his glossy Haute-Couture pieces, Daniel is also the founder and curator of Runway Gallery, the fashion-focused gallery that represents some familiar names from IRK, including our founders, French Cowboy. Daniel may be making his mark on the vibrant London art scene at present; however, his unique style is based on different influences from Daniel Syrett’s past.
After studying fashion at Jacob Kramer College of Art in his home city of Leeds, Daniel moved to Liverpool, where his style was influenced by the alternative creative’s of Merseyside. After successfully launching one of the most exclusive nightclubs in the country, Dan travelled to London to work as a freelance stylist, in a move which saw his career in fashion skyrocket. To date, Daniel Syrett has worked alongside some of the most prestigious names in the industry, including Elle, All Saints, EMI, the BBC, and London Fashion Week. Among his latest collaborations, SYRETT is most recognised for his partnership with True Brit Nail Varnish which is portrayed through his glossy art pieces. SYRETT uses the varnish as a medium to create highly polished, and highly fashionable works of art which expose the intertwining relationship between the fashion and art worlds. This connection is epitomised by his most recent collection in which SYRETT named each piece after some of the most iconic designers, including Alexander, Jean-Paul, Yves and Vivienne, with the latter designer being a frequent visitor to Daniel’s former boutique, Controversy.
As a result of working with these stylish clients, Daniel Syrett has solidified a global reputation as both a fashion stylist and an artist. His work has graced everywhere from New York and Florence, to the pastel-glazed buildings on Miami’s South Beach, where an exhibition of SYRETT’S work is also planned for the near future. It is, however, unsurprising that Daniel Syrett has reached such heights, after seeing his work published in over 200 National and International publications, alongside several other books, including the Booth-Clibborn Edition of the counter-culture book, High Flyers.
Alongside his role at IRK, Daniel continues to make his name in London and beyond, most specifically through Beautalism: the emerging art movement which is shaping the art scene across the capital. As the founder of the Beautalists, Daniel Syrett aims to bridge the gap between the public and the artist and make art accessible to all. This is all in a days work for Dan, who balances his Runway Gallery empire with his work as an artist. With other exciting partnerships launching with the W Hotel, Soho’s Century Club and ROOME, the future for the head of Beautalism looks beautiful indeed.
Biography by Megan Slack, Contributing Editor at Magazine by Runway Gallery.
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