Art Auction - Arms Around the Child

Multidisciplinary British artist Paul Robinson (aka LUAP) dynamically fuses adventure and art through his paintings and photography, drawing from his own experiences. His adult-size Pink Bear suit follows him up mountains, through surreal landscapes, bustling cities and remote spots in far-away places, juxtaposing them in stark contrast with his central figure The Pink Bear. Using different mediums and techniques, he tackles mental health, the climate and ecological emergency, and isolation head-on.

LUAP’s style, although hinting at abstract expressionism, is not confined to one system as he seamlessly fuses expressionist mark making with photorealistic painting techniques. His works explodes with positive energy, bringing together the bold colours of Pop Art and the soft grunge of modern Urban Art. Exploring existential subjects, but within a contemporary feel, his craft stands alone in its composition and provoking content and subject matter.

The Pink Bear acts as a tool to juxtapose and create stark contrasts within a chosen context, existing somewhere between reality and make-believe, and youthful innocence and corruption. The Pink Bear reincarnated from an old childhood memory whilst in therapy, leaving the familiar confines and security of youthful innocence to find a place in the ‘real world’ and serve as a guiding light. The candy-coloured teddy accompanies LUAP on his travels and serves as a metaphor for discovery and exploration.