Long before his first solo show or collaborations with international brands, London-based artist Josh Papa made his debut on a scratched, black coffee table in a university flat in Amsterdam. What started as a spontaneous sketch turned into something far more enduring: the first of his now-signature Deluded Animals, a playful and satirical series he describes as a “storyline to create stories.” This summer, Papa brings that same spirit of improvisation and narrative instinct to The Boathouse by Ten Easy Street, where he’ll be live-painting a brand-new series using our curated Farrow & Ball palette. Expect his signature wit, bold use of color, and a few unexpected turns—always grounded in that inky black that nods to where it all began. His subjects—both surreal and strangely familiar—invite you to look closer, longer, laugh a little, and find your own meaning in the mix. Whether you're wandering in from the harbor or arriving with purpose, make time to see his process unfold. Watch him paint en plein air.
Read Between The Lines
Why: Because the best art doesn’t explain—it invites. Josh Papa’s work defies easy classification, straddling satire and sincerity with a rare sense of play. His evolving cast of characters, drawn in his instantly recognizable hand, are more than motifs—they’re provocations, prompting reflection, humor, and sometimes a bit of absurdity. His art is deeply personal yet highly accessible, grounded in storytelling but never static. It lives, shifts, and surprises—just like the viewer it meets.
What: A selection of Papa’s existing works welcomes guests in the Entry Foyer of Ten Easy Street, offering an unexpected jolt of visual narrative upon arrival. These pieces are bold, graphic, and distinctly his—inked in heavy black, layered with expressive color, and infused with equal parts intelligence and irreverence. Meanwhile, new works will unfold throughout the season, created live at The Boathouse using TES’s own palette as medium and muse.
Where: Papa’s framed works hold court in the Entry Foyer—a fitting place to begin the journey into TES. Their humor, curiosity, and striking simplicity offer an instant sense of personality and creative energy. For an even deeper encounter, visitors can find him painting live at The Boathouse, where art and atmosphere intermingle as freely as wind and tide.