The prestigious Saatchi Gallery, one of the hippest clubs in London and so-trendy-it-aches Shoreditch. Just a few of the places where artist Paul Robinson has exhibited his dynamic work recently. Oh, and we haven’t even mentioned the Pink Bear yet…
Born 1982 in Grimsby - England

Paul is a skilled fine artist who has diversified and has an eclectic portfolio digital, graphic and photographic art. But as the man himself says: “I try not to put my work in a box and don’t define myself as it limits my work. I let other people decide.”

Born and raised in Grimsby, Paul had his love of art sparked at primary school back in the late 1980s and after encouragement from teachers, he was creating 6ft by 4ft murals. One teacher in particular, Mr Ward, encouraged him by scouting for big blank walls where Paul could unleash his creative talents and his childhood enthusiasm culminated in a life-size model of an Eyptian Anubis (whether it was a good idea to plaster it in pvc glue to make it shiny is still being discussed).

It was at Matthew Humberstone secondary school that his really became passion about art, inspired by another teacher, this time Mr Smith who mentored Paul through to sixth form. It was here he met fellow artist Simon “McCheung” Cheung, still a good friend and one of Paul’s artistic peers. The competitive friends enjoyed a healthy rivalry which became a lifelong friendship and the pair still work and exhibit together now as adults.

A top student, Paul took his A levels and was commended for his Systems and Controls exam which was marked among the top 10 in the country and earned him an audience with Hewlett Packard.

A foundation course in A level photography followed at Grimsby College of Art and Design. Outside college, he fuelled his love of art and design by creating and working in a makeshift studio in his dad’s back garden. It was during his college days that Paul’s held his first exhibition with McCheung, which was opened in Grimsby by Austin Mitchell MP.

A fine art degree at University College for the Creative Arts in Canterbury followed and after graduating, Paul headed for London.

His very first job was uninspiring – and steeled his determination to work in the creative industries. “I moved to London and my first job was as a salesman but I quit after three hours. I had to earn money but knew I couldn’t work anywhere unless it was a creative place so I picked the Yellow Pages and started calling graphic design agencies until I got a paid internship.”

Paul spent all his spare time painting and after a year, began exhibiting at pop-up shows. Over the last decade, his work has appeared and sold globally exhibitions in Hong Kong, Barcelona, France, Dubai along with numerous London exhibitions at Bethnal Green, Covent Garden and Knightsbridge. In 2013 he was commended in the Saatchi Gallery’s weekly round-up of talent.

His solo exhibitions have received outstanding accolades. The pop-up exhibition ‘Decadence’ (based on his mum’s old wallpaper at home) was incorporated into the VIP lounge of London’s DSTRKT club. Paul’s paintings of trees and landscapes are mixed up with overlaying decorative patterns of wallpaper, achieving complex imagery. Oh, and Tinie Tempah and Rhianna slouched against it when they held celeb parties at the club.

Using lasers and steel, he created four stunning showpieces for his Descending the Staircase exhibition.

Which brings us back to the Pink Bear, Paul’s most iconic work. The costumed figure exists between reality and make-believe, innocence and corruption and is also featured at DSTRKT.

A one-off piece was made at the club’s Yaneff restaurant directly onto the wall using posters and spray paints. The Pink Bear was based on an original bear which lived in Paul’s mother’s bedroom drawers. Which just goes to show, mum always knows best.

Paul also excels as a passionate and professional senior creative, working on campaigns and branding for leading global companies from initial creative concept through to final polished execution.

In addition to his digital and fine art, Paul has worked on a variety of print campaigns, directed photo and video shoots and has 14 years photographic experience working alongside major players in the creative and digital industries including Burson Marsteller, Golly Slater, Ogilvy and freelance art director at Karmarama.

Remember this Sport Relief campaign? Paul led this after initially being contracted to art direct seriouslygood.com. He was then asked to art direct the entire digital sport relief campaign sportrelief.com along with various projects for Red Nose Day (and yes, plastic red noses were worn copiously in the office).

His latest creative photography portfolio includes Thistle Hotels.

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