**Wood has so far captured 300 establishments but faces challenges as the future of pubs grows uncertain due to rising costs.**
**Artist Chronicles London's Pubs: Lydia Wood's Inspired Mission**
**Artist Chronicles London's Pubs: Lydia Wood's Inspired Mission**
**Lydia Wood embarks on an artistic journey to document every pub in London through her sketches, aiming to preserve this vital aspect of the city's culture.**
Lydia Wood, a 31-year-old artist, has taken on a remarkable undertaking to sketch every pub in London, a project that speaks volumes about the city's vibrant nightlife. On a recent Wednesday morning in southeast London, Wood set up her easel outside The Lord Clyde, a historic pub in Southwark built in 1913. Striking a balance between the bustling life around her and the canvas in front of her, Wood diligently sketched, attracting the attention and praise of passersby.
As she pursues this creative journey, Wood has completed around 300 drawings, with a staggering 2,500 pubs still waiting to be captured. Her selection process is intriguingly organic; she roams the city, choosing subjects on instinct rather than strict criteria. Her quest isn’t simply for artistic fulfillment; it also serves as an archive of an essential component of London’s cultural landscape.
While documenting these pubs, Wood is confronting the pressing issues they face today. Many establishments are grappling with rising rents and a changing economic climate, posing significant risks to their survival. Through her drawings, she hopes to raise awareness and spark conversations about the future of these social hubs that are cherished by the community. As the London skyline shifts, Lydia Wood's work stands as a testament to the enduring spirit of these beloved pubs.
As she pursues this creative journey, Wood has completed around 300 drawings, with a staggering 2,500 pubs still waiting to be captured. Her selection process is intriguingly organic; she roams the city, choosing subjects on instinct rather than strict criteria. Her quest isn’t simply for artistic fulfillment; it also serves as an archive of an essential component of London’s cultural landscape.
While documenting these pubs, Wood is confronting the pressing issues they face today. Many establishments are grappling with rising rents and a changing economic climate, posing significant risks to their survival. Through her drawings, she hopes to raise awareness and spark conversations about the future of these social hubs that are cherished by the community. As the London skyline shifts, Lydia Wood's work stands as a testament to the enduring spirit of these beloved pubs.
