The artist known as Lhouette (Born Ciarán Robinson) is regarded as one of the United Kingdom’s leading urban pop artists. Lhouette became widely known from 2012, having gained representation from a series of distinguished commercial galleries across the UK. This presence immediately led to a new generation of urban art collector acquiring key early works. A series of sell-out solo exhibitions alongside published editions and original collections soon followed.
Lhouette's meticulously developed craft produces standout works utilising both raw and refined materials coated in his signature jam-packed painted collage work, the artist has gained critical recognition for his 'Post Urban Glamour' and 'Pop Maximalist' concepts, along with his widely collected cast off silhouetted figurative motif designs.
EARLY LIFE & EDUCATION
Lhouette was born in 1985 in Luton Town England, after showcasing talent within his early education, aged 17 Lhouette went on to study art and design at Central Bedfordshire College but controversially opted out to enrol into the Royal Navy. Four years and 21 countries later Lhouette returned home and set up his first studio practice aged just 21 and soon after began creating work under the name of Lhouette.
The discovery of East London’s urban art scene and its 'Pop Up / Pop Art' galleries in the mid 2000,s became major influences in his work stylistically, References from long stints sailing the Caribbean, South America and Europe can also be found in Lhouette’s work today. Between 2010 - 2012 to enhance his understanding of running a dedicated art studio, Lhouette completed a postgraduate Diploma in Arts Management at Birkbeck University of London, the placement was based on demonstrated experience and his portfolio alone.
After-being represented for a number of years by one of the UKs leading fine art publishing houses, In 2017 the artist established his own independent contemporary art and print studios from a series large converted barns enabling him and his team of in house artisans and designers to produce outstanding works to match the scale of his ambition.
CAREER
Lhouette’s portfolio of landmark original artworks, deluxe hybrid editions and distinctive wall sculptures have been widely presented in galleries, museums and art fairs internationally, including the UK, USA and Hong Kong. Notable presentations include early works showcased at The Houses of Parliament as well as works hand selected for display at prestigious fine art auction house such as Christie’s and Sotheby's of London.
Intricately intertwining lowbrow pop culture iconography and mixed media materials into distinct visually arresting collections, Lhouette’s work has won patrons and advocates such as: The Dorchester Collection, Hollywood actor Antonio Banderas, the Khayami Family, Ronan and Storm Keating, and the world’s foremost designer of Formula One, engineering genius Adrian Newey OBE.
In 2017 Lhouette was recognised by the BBC London News with a dedicated televised interview surrounding his exhibition 'Post Urban Glamour' and 2 month artist residency at London's 45 Park Lane, having been chosen to exhibit by an art committee including such luminaries as Pop Art legend Sir Peter Blake. In the same year Lhouette also received press coverage online and in print by the Evening Standard for his community based art programmes and workshops for young people in Angell Town Brixton, during the 'The Estate Were In' Campaign.
In 2018 the artist transformed a full-scale chess set into a fun fully functional work of art named 'More or Less Chess'. The work was exhibited at the renowned WCHOF Museum St. Louis Missouri USA, during curated showcase, 'Painted Pieces'. His transformation of these classic Staunton pieces into a playable contemporary work of art went on to be referenced as an example of the epitome of artisan craft and artistic vision, by channel 4’s the Great British Pottery Throw Down.
In 2019 Lhouette created his largest privately acquired body of work to date 15 large scale works were commissioned and installed as a permanent exhibition in an exquisite property custom designed and 3 years in the planning and building. Pushing the artist to produce some of his most compelling works.
Having completed a number of private commissions for Ronan and Storm Keating, Lhouette also collaborated with the respected celebrity duo in 2019 raising vital funds for the Marie Keating Foundation and Cancer Research UK, and again in 2020 with his original 'Knight Nurse' painting featuring in Ronan's music video 'A Little Thing Called Love' with the works later exceeding sale estimates at Sotheby's London in aid of UNICEF.
solo exhibitions
October 2019 – Attachment Issues Solo Show, The Wyecliffe Galleries, Weybridge, Surrey, UK Sponsored by Carbon Finance. February 2017 - Post Urban Glamour Solo Show & Residency, 45 Park Lane, Mayfair, London, UK. In conjunction with The Dorchester Collection. April 2016 - Video Heaven Solo Show, The Wyecliffe Galleries, Weybridge, Surrey, UK. November 2015 - Mass Seduction Solo Show, Capulet Gallery, Chiswick, London, UK. June 2015 - Retro One Hundred Solo Show, Gallery Rouge, St. Albans, Hertfordshire. UK. Supported by Public Art Installation in St. Albans City Centre. June 2014 - Art De Populaire Solo Show, The Wyecliffe Galleries, Weybridge, Surrey, UK.
Group shows
October 2023 - Pop X Culture Art Sale, Bonhams New Bond Street, London, UK. August 2021 - 45 Retrospective Group Exhibition - 45 Park Lane Hotel, London, UK. July 2020 - Modern & Post -War British Art Sale, Sotheby's New Bond Street, Mayfair London, UK April 2018 - Painted Pieces Group show, WCHOF Museum St. Louis, Missouri, USA. December 2014 - Smile Britannia Group Show, Houses of Parliament, London, UK.
art fairs
January 2024 - London Art Fair - TAG Fine Art, Business Design Centre, London UK. January 2023 - London Art Fair - TAG Fine Art, Business Design Centre, London UK. November 2022 - Edinburgh Art Fair - Arkley Fine Art, O2 Academy, Edinburgh UK. May 2018 - AAF Hong Kong - Turner Barnes, Convention and Exhibition Centre, 1 Expo Dr, Wan Chai, Hong Kong. October 2016 - AAF Battersea - Turner Barnes, Evolution, Battersea Park, London UK. October 2014 - Moniker Art Fair Old Truman Brewery, Shoreditch, London, UK.
press & television appearances
June 2020 - ITV - Good Morning Britain - Lock Down with Lorraine. January 2020 – BBC Two, The Great British Pottery Throwdown Series 3, Episode Two – Chess Set. April 2018 – NBC, Show Me St Louis News Feature - Chess Set. November 2017 – ArtsIndustry Online Interview – Beyond Collection Launch. February 2017 – Fabulist Magazine News Feature - Post Urban Glamour Residency at the Dorchester. February 2017 – BBC One, BBC London News, News Feature – Post Urban Glamour Residency at the Dorchester. November 2016 – Channel 4, Posh Pawn Series 6, Episode 7 – Cable Drum Coffee Table. August 2016 – The Evening Standard In print and online – Angell Town Brixton, Community Work.