The Gerald Moore Gallery presents a solo exhibition titled Locals by Lydia Wood, an exhibition of work from the ongoing Pub Project – the artist’s mission to draw every pub in London.
Locals will showcase over a hundred architectural pencil drawings of London pubs amongst other installations. With a focus on memory and nostalgia, recollecting the stories Wood has absorbed on sketching days over the past three years; alongside her own connection to pubs.
Lydia, who studied Fine Art at Goldsmiths, makes detailed pencil drawings of London pubs. In 2021 the South East London artist declared she would draw every pub in London, all 3000+ of them. Now about 10% of the way through Lydia travels across the city to draw their exterior architecture from life; meeting landlords, landladies, locals and pub cats along the way.
The project aims to be more than just the physical artworks, by using her monochrome graphite drawings as a vehicle to discover the diverse variety of establishments across the capital.
The ritual of setting up to sketch a pub all day, means Lydia is offered a unique insight into the pub and its particular community, preferring to receive her historical titbits and local legends from impromptu conversations had with punters throughout the day.
The project is estimated to take anywhere between 20-30 years in its current form. Gerald Moore Gallery, Mottingham Lane, London, SE9 4RW from 16th January to 15th February.
Open to public Saturday 10am-4pm. Admission: Free.