In a bustling corner of southeast London, 31-year-old artist Lydia Wood is on a unique artistic quest—drawing every pub in the city. On a recent Wednesday morning, she set up her easel beside a dumpster, ready to capture the essence of The Lord Clyde, a historic pub established in 1913. As she diligently sketched, locals and passers-by expressed admiration for her work, sparking conversations about the importance of these social hubs.
Wood, a self-described “pub person,” employs a spontaneous approach to her project, choosing pubs based on instinct and city wanderings. To date, she has completed around 300 drawings, leaving her with approximately 2,500 more to go. Along her journey, she has encountered significant concerns about the future of pubs in London, particularly with looming threats from rising rents and various pressures affecting these cherished establishments.
The project acts not only as an exploration of London's nightlife but also as a poignant commentary on the ever-changing urban landscape—one where pubs, once cornerstones of community life, are in jeopardy. Wood's mission serves to create an invaluable archive of these venues, capturing their unique characteristics and the stories that define them. As the pub scene faces transformation, Wood's artwork immortalizes and honors the vibrancy these locations bring to the city.
