5th March 2025
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Celebrating Southampton’s Pubs Through Art
Pub Cultures matched nine local pubs with local artists to create unique artworks inspired by the voices of the people who call these pubs home.
Through a co-creative process, each artist worked closely with a pub’s community, running workshops, gathering stories, and crafting bespoke artworks that reflected the spirit of the space. The resulting pieces, ranging from murals and sculptures to textile art, were unveiled in April 2025, with a virtual launch inviting people to explore the artworks in person.
Pub Cultures was part of a series of projects called ‘Belonging,’ which used a range of creative mediums to explore and celebrate what it means to be Sotonian through collaboration with many different Southampton communities.
Supported by Esmee Fairbairn Foundation, National Lottery Heritage Fund, and Arts Council England, Pub Cultures celebrated the role of pubs as cultural hubs, bringing people together through creativity, heritage, and fostering community pride.
The Story of Pub Cultures
Watch Now: Pub Cultures – Behind the Scenes
Step inside Southampton’s pubs and meet the communities, artists and landlords behind nine powerful new artworks.
This special film goes behind the scenes of Pub Cultures, capturing the creative journey from first conversation to final reveal.
The Hop Inn
Follow the journey of Stephen Muldowney-Mizen (@sm._ripper) and Rich Lansley (@rich_lansley) as they collaborate with The Hop Inn Bitterne to create something truly special for our Pub Cultures project.
The Platform Tavern
Artist Tom Stewart @tomstewart_artist discusses how he has been working with the historic Platform Tavern to create a bespoke mural for their external wall.
Learn more about the Pubs that are participating in this project
Pub Cultures Poems
Southampton Forward offered a creative writing commission for emerging writers, to celebrate each of the nine pubs participating in the Pub Cultures project across Southampton, bringing their stories and heritage to life.
LATEST NEWS
Artist’s Profiles
Jack firmly believes that pub cultures will bring up conversations with communities and that this is such a vital part of any community.
Being involved in this project has allowed Jack to give back to the community, and help pubs to gain an identity through art, which will keep fuelling these communities.
Jack Print
Artist , The Joiners and The Saints Pub
I am a French American artist based in Southampton.
My background is in graphics and computer animation.
I have exhibited my works in many venues and events in the U.K. and abroad too (France, Spain, Italy, Turkey, Japan and South Korea)
I am a multidisciplinary artist and I work in many different styles and mediums.
Art is never created in a vacuum. Whatever the Art, an artist’s work is a reaction to the world around them. And I think it is crucial for artists to play their part in their community to help foster creativity and wellbeing.
Every project is different and requires its own approach, I often use my Art as a catalyst for discussion that takes me on a voyage of discovery into my creative process.
The title of the commission, “Anchors aweigh”, to me, indicates something that has begun and that a creative journey had started
I feel it is a good example of a project that is the result of the dialogue between myself, the local community , and the pub’s proprietors. The multi-layered imagery and the varied cutout shapes in wood have been inspired by my brainstorm workshop with the pub’s staff and my discussions with the customer. The great majority of the building block for this artwork were donated by the local community and I hope I can inspire people to be creative, reuse and up-cycle for themselves.
There are a lot of details in this artwork that are inspired by the local history and the pubs’ heritage. Some details are obvious ,and some are a bit more hidden
Julien Masson
Artist , The Ship Inn
Stephen Muldowney-Mizen is a poet from a town called Ware. Often performing under the name SM Ripper, he has been hosting and organising live poetry events for 14 years and takes this passion to literature and music festivals all over the South of England. The host of Poetry Platform, Winchester’s longest-running poetry night for 14 years, believes his shows are a special blend of heart and chaos, and there is nothing Stephen loves more than creating unique live entertainment experiences. In 2021 he founded his writing organisation, BeSpoken Words.
BeSpoken Words has the simple belief that everyone has a story to tell, and they make it their mission to make sure that they are providing the space and tools to help people tell their stories. From 1 on 1 writing sessions to working with schools, youth boards and the NHS, they have helped craft over 300 poetry stories, each unique and magnificent.
Creating a poetry book for The Pubs Project is BeSpoken Words’ biggest challenge to date, but one they have embraced wholeheartedly, and a project shared is a project enjoyed, and they have been very proud to work alongside fellow poet and creative Rich Lansley.
Now working on his new show SM Ripper’s Random Poetry Experience, Stephen is an occasional Instagram user, but he loves an email, so if you have a story to share or need a little bright chaos in your life, get in touch.
Instagram
@bespokenwordspoetry
Rich has lived in Southampton and the surrounding areas for most of his life.
He studied Art at Fareham College and went on to study Fine Art and Design at Winchester University.
He held his debut solo Art Show called ‘Infamous’ in 2012, which was a sell-out on the opening night.
Since then, he has mostly been found on the Winchester and London Art markets, selling his paintings on the streets and online.
He has also created murals in pubs, salons and schools up the country.
His piece for Pub Cultures is titled – ‘The Hopping Hare’
Inspired by a story told to him about one of the locals of The Hop Inn finding a Rabbit at the front door of the pub in the morning on their way to work.
“I wanted to create a vibrant, eye-catching piece that captured a sense of movement and motion.
Something to make the locals of the Hop Inn smile when they walk to the bar.”
You can find more of Rich’s work via his Instagram-
@rich_lansley
Sarah Filmer landed here in Southampton with no intention of staying. over the years, whilst evolving a family, working as a vet, gaining a fine art degree from Southampton Solent University, working as an artist and lecturer in fine art, she has grown to love this city, and now sees it as home. she was instrumental in the development on god’s house tower from empty monument to vibrant arts and heritage venue, has been shortlisted for the Jerwood craft prize, and has knitted with most people who live in this city through her ‘blue jumper’ and ‘knit the walls’ projects.
‘The Knights of the Red Lion’ is a new pennant, made in response to those hanging in the Red Lion pub from centuries past. Mukesh, the publican at the Red Lion, wanted something that vibed with the historic elements of the pub. I used motifs gathered from stories and activities shared with the pub’s regulars that reflected their contemporary experiences, and paired these with the principles of traditional heraldry to create a pennant that features drinking lions, water jugs showcased in the restaurant area of the pub, the 23 ghosts seen hanging around the red lion over the years, and molly, the African grey parrot who was partial to crisps and cigarettes.
Sarah’s website:
https://www.sarahfilmer.com/
Alice Louisa is a Southampton-based documentary photographer, artist, and community arts facilitator committed to amplifying underrepresented voices through lens-based storytelling. Her work is inspired by her upbringing, and explores themes of class, identity, and social issues. She uses portraiture, research, and creative direction to challenge societal narratives.
Alice is interested in the political potential of art and often uses humour and fantasy to explore this. She aims to work collaboratively with individuals and communities that have been under- and/or misrepresented in the media, facilitating co-creation workshops with youth groups, community organisations, charities, schools, and environmental and women’s groups.
Her photography spans documentary, portraiture, and fashion, with recent exhibitions including International Women’s Day: Community Projects, Perspectives from a Safe Space’, a collaborative art project with Hope Street, dedicated to empowering and amplifying the voices of women affected by the justice system. Alice’s work has been published in HUCK and Polyester Magazine, and she continues to develop long-form projects that highlight overlooked stories.
She’s a member of Southampton-based arts collective ZEST Collective and Working Class Creatives Database, and her work is supported by ‘a space’ arts.
Image
Alice Louisa by a participant of ‘Perspectives from a safe space’ project
Portfolios
Website:
https://alicelouisap.wixsite.com/portfolio
WCCD:
https://www.workingclasscreativesdatabase.co.uk/member/alice-louisa
ZEST:
https://www.zestartscollective.com/artists/alice-louisa
Jo Fisher is a poet, writer, editor, and artist living in Southampton. She moved to the city over a decade ago to study at the University of Southampton (BA English; MA English Literary Studies) and currently works at the University as a Copywriter and Editor. She is also a Trustee for Winchester Poetry Festival.
Alongside her day job, she freelances as a writer and content creator, with experience in reviewing cultural events and theatrical productions, developing social media content and writing website and blog post copy. Previously, she has written bespoke poetry for Southampton City Council and the University of Southampton. She also collaborated with The Big Issue and GO! Southampton to create a special edition of the magazine in 2021.
Jo regularly shares her poetry at local open mic nights and cultural events such as Write a Note, DIY Southampton and JHG Poetry. In 2024, she curated and hosted ‘Poets and Pints’ at SO:Fringe Festival and ‘Verse in the Vaults’ at Music in the City. She performed her poetry for the recent City of Culture bid, and has appeared on BBC Radio Solent several times. In 2019, she represented the Solent region at the Hammer & Tongue Slam Final, performing at the Royal Albert Hall. Her writing has also been turned into a neon light installation at God’s House Tower, which can be seen behind the cafe bar.
When she’s not writing poetry or working, Jo shares her creativity on social media and Substack. She can usually be found exploring the local area, making the most of Southampton’s art galleries, theatres and museums, enjoying independent cafes and eateries, flexing her green fingers, and connecting with her creative surroundings.
Profile photo:
Credit Rudy Visuals
Jo Fisher
Poet , The Platform Tavern and The Mountbatten
Laura is a Creative Writing MA graduate from the University of Southampton, and is now based in Folkestone, Kent.
She lived in Southampton as a student for four years, and the history, nightlife and live music scene are some of her favourite things about the city, which is why she was keen to be involved in Pub Cultures.
As a writer, Laura is particularly interested in short stories, poetry and creative non-fiction. Her work appears in two anthologies, Doorways to the Sea (2021) and Avenues (2025), and during her time as Records Editor for The Edge student magazine, she interviewed two bands.
Contact Laura at:
lauragellison@gmail.com
Laura Ellison
Poet , The Ship Inn, The Red Lion, The Joiners
Amy is a multidisciplinary artist whose work navigates the threshold between past and present, seen and unseen.
She explores social connection through a lens of English heritage, historic custom, and the boundaries – both real and imagined – that define and divide us. Fences, walls, and gates serve as recurring motifs, symbolising the fragile yet persistent barriers between worlds.
Amy’s practice often engages with echoes of her departed family, crafting spaces where memory and history converge. She is drawn to the un-authored marks of long-forgotten craftspeople, their presence lingering in the objects and structures they left behind. Through her work, Amy invites reflection on the spaces we inhabit, the borders we construct, and the possibility of passage between them.
For pub cultures Amy collaborated with the Raven and Bine pub, engaging patrons through a creative writing bonus round during the weekly pub quiz.
Participants wrote imaginative stories inspired by pub objects, which she later edited and transformed into 12 unique screen-printed beermats. Each mat featured artwork and a short story, celebrating storytelling traditions in pub culture. The mats were distributed in the pub and displayed in framed installations. The project highlights community creativity and the blending of contemporary art with everyday social spaces.
I worked with students Matt Grove and Ella Morris on the mural and other graffiti and street artists came and helped paint, it was a genuine community collaboration
The mural incorporates ideas inspired by conversations I had with various groups at the Robin Hood Pub. The singer represents the long history of music at the pub and its live music tradition. The horse symbolises the fact that many patrons are passionate about horse racing and also represents other sports that people enjoy watching in the pub.
There is a long history of horses in Sholing, reflected in the name Donkey Common, which is named after the area where donkeys used to graze when they worked at the laundry. Additionally, the mural acknowledges the Romani heritage of Sholing. The year 1871 is included as it marks the first recorded date of the Robin Hood as a pub.
The flowers serve as a nod to the wallpaper in the pub. Furthermore, the bright colours are at the request of the autistic karaoke group, who expressed that the pub is a safe and welcoming place for them. The vibrancy of the colours is meant to represent that sense of inclusivity.
Supported by Arts Council England, National Lottery Heritage Fund and Esmée Fairbairn Foundation.
Thanks to Southampton Forward’s founding partners: Southampton City Council, University of Southampton, Southampton Solent University, GO! Southampton, Paris Smith LLP and Mayflower Theatre.
Supported by:
Founding City Partners
