Pop Art News: The Lobster Man Returns. Philip Colbert showing at the Saatchi Gallery, London, 29 November - 13 January

Pop artist Philip Colbert, renowned for his vibrant use of colour and surrealist style, continues to captivate with his latest creative venture. Known as "The Lobster Man," Colbert tackles themes of artificial intelligence in a bold new series of battle-themed artworks.

Titled The Battle for Lobsteropolis, the exhibition will be showcased at London's Saatchi Gallery—the very institution where Colbert first introduced his work to the art world. 

Running from November 29, 2024, to January 13, 2025, the show will present six large-scale hunt-themed paintings and sculptures, blending his signature aesthetic with a fresh narrative perspective.

Philip Colbert, celebrated for his hyper-pop history paintings, continues his exploration of battle scenes in a landmark solo exhibition. 

In The Battle for Lobsteropolis, his iconic lobster character journeys through time, facing off against artificial intelligence in imaginative reworkings of historical conflicts. Central to the exhibit are two monumental AI-assisted paintings where Colbert’s lobster engages in epic clashes with the tech world.

While many AI experts warn of an impending technological reckoning, Colbert takes a nuanced approach, crafting a vision where art history and digital innovation intersect. Rather than sounding alarms, his work invites reflection on how AI reshapes our understanding of art. This tension between tradition and progress is particularly evident in Colbert’s reinterpretation of a 2,000-year-old masterpiece from Pompeii. In After Battle of Issus Mosaic, he reimagines the famed "Alexander the Great" mosaic—currently housed at the Museo Archeologico Nazionale di Napoli, where Colbert exhibited earlier this year—relocating it to his dystopian realm of Lobsteropolis. Here, Colbert’s lobster battles an advancing army of AI avatars, challenging viewers to reconsider the enduring relevance of art history in the digital age.

The show also features a series of striking sculptures inspired by classical mythological figures like the Centaur, Minotaur, and Medusa. Colbert’s playful reinterpretations emphasise mythology’s timeless themes, highlighting its resonance in a world shaped by contemporary issues.

Dubbed the “godson of Andy Warhol” by André Leon Talley (late editor of US Vogue), Colbert’s work fuses pop culture, geopolitics, and current events into a vibrant, hyper-pop aesthetic. His recurring lobster motif, central to his artistic identity, symbolizes surrealism and the absurdity of modern life. This fascination began in his youth, evolving into a signature style when he donned a lobster-patterned suit and embraced his moniker, “The Lobster Man.” Reflecting on this transformation, Colbert says, “I became an artist when I became a lobster.”

The Battle for Lobsteropolis caps off an extraordinary year for Colbert. It began with a high-profile collaboration with Vogue and his debut solo exhibition in Singapore at the Whitestone Gallery in January. 

In March, Philip Colbert unveiled House of the Lobster, a unique event held at the Museo Archeologico Nazionale di Napoli, home to the world’s largest collection of Roman artifacts.

April saw Colbert extend his collaboration with AS ROMA in support of The Red Cross. After designing a special-edition football kit worn by the team and showcasing a giant inflatable lobster at Stadio Olimpico, he joined forces with players Leonardo Spinazzola, Paulo Dybala, Leandro Paredes, and Stephan El Shaarawy. Together, they created a one-of-a-kind painting that blended the worlds of art and football.

In the summer, Colbert took over London’s The Conran Shop. Partnering with his wife, visual artist and filmmaker Charlotte Colbert, the duo transformed the store into an immersive installation of their surreal world. Featuring bespoke furniture and exclusive homewares, the display brought their theatrical vision—described by US Vogue as a “theatrical funhouse”—into the public eye, making surrealism accessible for any home.

By September, Colbert traveled to Seoul to debut his largest inflatable artwork yet: the Giant Lobster King. This colossal 16-meter sculpture, set afloat on a giant rubber ring in Lake Seokchon, marked Lotte Mall’s 10th anniversary. His whimsical sculptures also adorned the mall’s interior and outdoor spaces, drawing fans and K-pop stars alike, including Dishoon, Yoshi from Treasure, and Jennie Kim. Simultaneously, Colbert’s solo show at the Next Museum turned the Seoul district into a playful lobster-themed wonderland.

Following a whirlwind year of global exhibitions and public installations, the Saatchi Gallery showcase in London promises to end the year on a high note.

Art and Culture: Donald Baugh presents his first solo exhibition this October in London Vessel Gallery

Donald Baugh will present his first solo exhibition this October, coinciding with Black History Month in Vessel Gallery, London.*

Designer and wood craftsman Donald Baugh to present his first solo exhibition
AKANSA in the Vessel Gallery in London.

A designer and wood craftsman, Baugh’s showcase will feature a collection of vessel-shaped, non-functional sculptures crafted from various wood species. Some of the works are engraved with runic designs, reflecting Baugh's insight that "indigenous people from around the world used the same tools, leading to a repetition of patterns."

Zurri 0.1

Born in the UK in Chiswick in 1961 to parents from Jamaica’s Windrush generation, Baugh transitioned from a successful career in furniture design and making to focus increasingly on experimental, freestanding sculptures over the past decade.

Sivori 0.1

Influenced by Charles Eames and the Bauhaus movement, Baugh’s asymmetrical wooden sculptures emphasize the natural qualities of the material, evoking its connection to both living trees and found objects like shells. 

Uhuru 0.4

He incorporates spray paint to accentuate curves and lines in vibrant colors, drawing on the energy of the Caribbean and the vitality of nature. For Baugh, wood is "almost like a nervous system," deeply tied to the history of human craftsmanship.

Masai 0.1

The exhibition will also feature sculptures from Baugh’s Masai series—tall wooden statues shaped like abstract human figures. These pieces draw inspiration from the myth that the Masai’s ancestors were visited by giants with large heads, while also evoking the colossal heads of Mexico's ancient Olmec civilization.

Baugh believes that wood is gaining recognition as a legitimate medium for art. “I think more people will turn to it,” he notes. “It’s the most natural material. Everyone relates to it.” His own works reflect his pursuit of authenticity. “You have to find your own aesthetics. It’s your fingerprint.”

*Vessel Gallery is at 114 Kensington Park Rd, London W11 2PW UK

Craft and Culture: Dale Chihuly's vibrant glass sculptures for all to admire at Chelsea Barracks, London

Celebrated American glass sculptor Dale Chihuly has garnered acclaim throughout his 60-year career for his groundbreaking and expansive installations. Renowned for his ability to redefine the boundaries of glass as an artistic medium, Chihuly's creations often evoke organic forms with their intricate and vibrant designs.  

Within the meticulously landscaped gardens of Chelsea Barracks is Chihuly's the pièce de résistance, the "Electric Yellow and Deep Coral Tower," offset against the greenery and giant glass balls.

During London Craft Week 2024, May 13 - 19 2024, the general public with great interest in crafts has the opportunity to admire a selection of Chihuly's works in bright and cheerful colours sited within the lush outdoor grounds of the upmarket residential development, Chelsea Barracks, in the heart of Belgravia, London, just moments away from the River Thames. 

"Amethyrst Reeds, 2004! by Dale Chihuly is presented in deep hues of violet and vivid magenta atop logs of raw wood to incorporate an element of contrast between the tall, sleek stalks of glass and the rough grain of wood, set within the water feature of Mulberry Square.

These installations, characterized by their exploration of form, light, and space through the medium of glass, are created in deep amethyst, aqua blue and amber, or striking hues of electric yellow and orange, crafted from blown glass and supported by steel, providing striking contrast while harmonizing with their surroundings.

Curated by New Public, this latest project at Chelsea Barracks aligns with the development's ethos of seamlessly blending modern architecture with the site's rich historical heritage. 

Visitors entering Chelsea Barracks from Chelsea Bridge Road are welcomed by Chihuly's "Amethyst Reeds, 2024".

Among the highlights are three of Chihuly's works situated in Mulberry Square, including the  "Amethyst Reeds, 2024", which greets passersby along Chelsea Bridge Road.  According to descriptions accessible through a QR link, Reeds made their debut during the ground-breaking 1995-96 Chihuly Over Venice project.  Reminiscent of the icicle forms common in his chandeliers and towers, Reeds is described as the most extreme expression of this elongated form, at up to three metres tall each.

Chihuly's Electric Yellow and Deep Coral Tower standing majestically amongst the greenery of the Mulberry Square garden at Chelsea Barracks.

Further within the meticulously landscaped gardens lies the pièce de résistance, the "Electric Yellow and Deep Coral Tower," a captivating creation dating back to 2017.  This soaring creation of upstretched tendrils in radiant yellow and coral hues of hand-blown glass forms affixed to a steel armature evokes flames and though, static, suggests a riot of writhing movement. This tower was previously sited at Gardens by the Bay in Singapore in 2021, and Chihuly at Biltmore in Asheville, North Carolina, USA in 2018.

Another striking work is "Mulberry Square Fiori" (2024) or is it Mille Fiori, Italian for thousand flowers.  The arrangement of glass in various shapes add vibrancy to the lush green gardens, with the appearance of living forms.  According to descriptions, it captures the unrestrained vitality of a July garden in a tribute to Chihuly's beloved late mother, Viola, a master gardener and colour fanatic.

The "Aqua Blue and Amber (2011)" chandelier resting on a !"quad pod" suggests it is a heavy sculpture. 

Another of Chihuly's installations at Chelsea Barracks, the "Aqua Blue and Amber, 2011" chandelier supported by a !"quad pod" steel frame, commands attention in Whistler Square near the Pimlico Road entrance. Described as a cascade of glass combining long, trailing tendrils and bulbous, marine globes in cheery shades of blue, gold and citron, playful in both form and palette.  This had previously been sited in the US, in Desert Botanical Garden, in Phoenix, Arizona in 2021 and the Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden in 2012.

This particular piece draws parallels to Chihuly's celebrated installation at the historic Victoria and Albert Museum in Knightsbridge, London, titled "Chihuly: Reflections on Nature." It was originally showcased in a 2001 exhibition that featured several of Chihuly's iconic glass sculptures and is now suspended high and mighty from the domed ceiling of the V&A museum's atrium at its Cromwell Road entrance, captivating visitors to this day.

"Chihuly: Reflections on Nature"
at the Victoria and Albert Museum.

As for the transformation of Chelsea Barracks in Belgravia from its origins as a late 19th-century military barracks for the British Army into a luxurious residential enclave has been a journey marked by both historical reverence and modern reinvention. Despite initial controversies and opposition from various quarters regarding its redevelopment, the site has emerged as a testament to the seamless integration of heritage preservation and contemporary design, offering residents and visitors alike a glimpse into London's rich past and vibrant future.

All images by Lucia Carpio.

Bold statement jewellery are artistic sculptures too.

Anna Maria Pitt's jewellery - from the Artic Poppies and Armorous collections -
are to be worn or admired as sculptural works of art.
 Pictured here at the Scoop International trade show held at the Saatchi Gallery, London, 12 - 14 February 2017.
© Lucia Carpio 2017

Architectural, geometrical,  and sculptural are just some of the descriptions that come to mind upon seeing the creations of Anna Maria Pitt.

Originally from Reykjavik, Iceland, now living in London, UK, Anna Maria said her fascination with nature and its bearings is the primary source of her artistic inspiration.  

Having studied silversmithing and jewellery design at Bucks New University where she graduated with a BA Hons degree, Anna set up her studio where her jewellery-creations are made by hand.

Her designs - be they a necklace, a ring, a pendant or a bracelet - make bold statements, ideal for the confident woman who likes or wants to be noticed.

Her jewellery creations are works of art that can be worn for maximum visual impact.  Yet each piece is uniquely beautiful, and can be admired as a stand-alone piece like a sculpture or objet d'art.

"I make design models out of paper before moving onto metal, which is then laser-cut and after I assemble and finish off each piece by hand in my workshop," explained Anna Maria in the lead up to her recent exhibition at the Scoop International trade fair held in London earlier this month at the Saatchi Gallery.   This was followed by Anna Maria's participation in Milano Fashion Week where four of her pieces have been selected for the Artistar Jewellery Exhibition.

You can almost imagine the Icelandic landscape when observing some of her jewellery designs.  In the picture above, Anna Maria models her Arctic Poppy bracelet on her left wrist.  Depicting a flower that blooms in the harshest of conditions, the piece is assembled by cold connecting eight separate parts to create the suspension of form. This modern piece blends the soundness of structure with the lightness of natural order.  On her right hand is one of her latest ring designs - the Migration Ring made from sterling silver, and are part of her cold connected Migration Collection.  Each ring, handcrafted by the artist herself, incorporates a clean slate, a flying bird or an abstract promise thereof, creating dimensional movement in each and every piece.

The picture above shows a selection of Migration necklaces, in varying sizes, made from gold plated sterling silver, as part of Anna Maria’s Migration Collection.   Inspired by migrating bird formations sweeping the sky, each silver or gold bird is fixed onto a circular plate, creating a dimensional arial movement flowing above the surface.

The Canopy bracelet shown in the picture above was inspired by forest tree crowns.  This large piece is assembled by fixing silver leafs to a bracelet base. Available in silver and gold.

Here is the sterling silver Backbone necklace - an intricate piece part of Anna Maria’s bespoke collection.  Inspired by a wild reindeer’s vertebrae, the necklace is assembled by cold connecting twenty six separate parts, emulating the animals spinal structure – creating a interconnecting spiral which fuses form and functionality.  Imagine it framing a lady's face and adorning a simple black dress.  It certainly makes a striking vision.

All images © Lucia Carpio 2017.