The London Society has been following the work of artist Lydia Wood as she continues on her quest to draw every pub in London. You can keep up to date with her activities on Instagram OR you could try visiting her upcoming exhibition at the Gerald Moore Gallery. Entitled Locals, it is running from 16th January to 15th February 2025. 

The exhibition 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 Wood 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. Lydia studied Fine Art at Goldsmiths, University of London and graduated in 2016.

The exhibition is open to the public on Saturdays from 10am to 4pm and by appointment.

To make an appointment, please email info@geraldmooregallery.org or call 02088570448.