| LUAP | |
| Birth Date: | September 1982 |
| Birth Place: | Grimsby, Lincolnshire, England |
| Nationality: | British |
| Field: | The Pink Bear, Contemporary Art, Street Art, Performance Art |
| Training: | University for the Creative Arts |
| Works: | The Unconscious Therapy,[1] Art in the Age of Now',[2] Love Life Mural [3] |
Paul Robinson, better known by his alias of LUAP, (born September 1982 in Grimsby, England) is a Contemporary Artist based in London. He is known for his depiction of The Pink Bear which he uses as a muse within his artworks.[4] His work spans the creative fields of photography, painting, sculpture and performance art.
A common feature with his work. He describes the Pink Bear as the reincarnation of an old childhood memory.[5] Accessed as part of a treatment of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT). The bear acts as "symbol of positive reinforcement and discovery" [6]
LUAP describes the use of the bear as being "a path of personal redemption".[7] Describing its use as a mechanism for his own personal fight with depression. The bears origin has its roots in an old childhood memory of a polaroid photograph showing the artist as a child with a pink bear.[8]
LUAP's art is based on photography. Each shot with the pink bear staged amidst a specific landscape or environment.[9] Paintings are then made from the original photographic source. The bear acting as a muse throughout each of the images.[10] Many of the subjects have a focus on mental health, the environment as well as being a commentary of societal issues.[11]
One of the notable aspects of LUAP's photography is in that they are often taken within extreme conditions. All using the Pink Bear as a muse, he travels the world in order to position the Bear amidst these backdrops.[12]
LUAP is known for his large scale canvases made using oils and acrylic. Each painting begins with a focus on background. This itself is a remnant of a childhood memory which references the wallpaper in home where he grew up.[13] Once complete the artwork will be painted on top using a combination of realism and abstract mark making techniques. Each painting will generally take months to complete.[14] [15]
Under the name of LUAP, Robinson has exhibited across the UK and Internationally. Notable exhibitions include 'The Unconscious Therapy' on New Bond Street;[16] 'Art in the Age of Now' at Fulham Town Hall[17] and 'Unleash the Love' at Fortnum & Mason.[18]
Official websites: