In brief
With a personal mission to illustrate all of London's pubs, Lydia Wood, 31, has completed 300 drawings out of approximately 2,500. This effort highlights her connection to the city's nightlife while drawing attention to the challenges faced by pubs amid rising costs.
In a notable endeavor that showcases both her artistic skill and dedication to London's pub culture, Lydia Wood, 31, has embarked on the ambitious project of drawing every pub in the city. On a recent Wednesday morning in southeast London, she set up her easel outside The Lord Clyde, a historic pub in Southwark that opened its doors in 1913. Armed with sunscreen and her artistic tools, Wood immersed herself in the task, capturing the essence of the building on her page.During her hour of drawing, local passerby Emily Finch paused to admire her work, reflecting the growing interest in Wood's endeavor. "Oh wow, that’s so good!" Finch exclaimed, to which Wood humbly acknowledged her compliment, admitting that she still had a long way to go. Currently, Wood has completed around 300 drawings, which is just a fraction of the 2,800 pubs bustling within the city, as reported by CGA by NIQ, a research consultancy. As a self-proclaimed "pub person," her unique approach involves drawing pubs at random, allowing her to meander across London, following her instinct and whims.Through her artistic exploration, Wood is not only documenting these establishments but also bringing attention to the challenges they face. Many pubs are under threat from rising rents and economic pressures, making her work not just an archive of nightlife but also a commentary on its future. As she continues her journey, each drawing serves as a visual record of a critical aspect of London's cultural heritage.
