I painted these two views of the Lloyd’s building in the City of London for the Going for Gold charity gala during the 2012 Olympic Games. This wonderful event was organised by a group of remarkable current and former female employees at Lloyd’s. Auctioned on the night of the gala, both the paintings celebrate the capital’s energy while highlighting the striking contrast between cutting‑edge modern architecture juxtaposed against its traditional counterparts. This contrast of new versus old, cosy vs glass and metal, somehow really works in London. It makes it an amazing place to live and has fascinated me since the first time I set foot in the city I would one day call home.
In both paintings, the curve of The Gherkin, another famous building I have painted, appears in the background, anchoring the compositions within London’s unmistakable skyline.
Lloyd’s Building on a Sunny Day
This acrylic painting captures the Lloyd’s building at noon‑day brilliance. A warm palette of reds, yellows and vivid blues animates an abstract composition that hints at the structure’s ducts, lifts and curves without describing them literally. Dynamic lines extend beyond the picture itself, inviting you to imagine the full scale of the building, as it soars above the street. Traditional details appear at the edge, framing the modern forms, while The Gherkin rises in the background to complete the picture of London’s evolving skyline.
I was thrilled that this artwork was later featured on the cover of “Economics of Meaning in Life,” a book by psychologist and philosopher Joel Vos.
Lloyd’s Building in the Evening
As the sun slips behind the skyline, the Lloyd’s building becomes a prism of colour. I explored the fading light through layering soft, intersecting planes, using a cool palette of blues and greens to evoke the hush of early evening.
Near the base, abstract silhouettes suggest people leaving work, their elongated shadows stretching across reflective surfaces as a human counterpoint to the building’s high‑tech exterior. The treatment of light and dark plays across the modern steel and glass, while hints of classical façades nearby reinforce the dialogue between old and new. Here too, the Gherkin sits quietly in the distance, a contemporary landmark within this twilight cityscape.
Collect the Pair or Choose Your Favourite
Both artworks are available as fine‑art giclée prints on archival paper. They make a striking pair when displayed together, a day‑and‑evening dialogue that brings London’s architectural contrasts to life.
Yet each piece also stands beautifully on its own. You can purchase them as a set or individually to suit your space and collection.
Each print:
Limited Edition Giclée Print on Paper
Edition: 90
Size: 40.5 × 55.5 cm (16" × 22")
Sold unframed
Printed to the highest standards and shipped locally in the UK, EU and USA
Comes with a Certificate of Authenticity
For availability and ordering, please get in touch or visit my shop.
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