A sacred figure in gold, emerging from darkness. Discover the work and its editions
Art for London Hotels and Private Members' Clubs
In London, the most memorable hotels and members' clubs are curated like private collections. Guests remember the bar where the light falls just so, the corridor that feels like a gallery, the lounge where a single work sets the tone for the whole evening. In a city with so much choice, the art on the walls is often what makes a space unforgettable.
Zack Zublena's gold fine art photographs were made for these spaces. Real people, their bodies entirely covered in gold paint, emerge from deep black backgrounds like living sculptures. They bring warmth, drama and a quiet sense of luxury to a lobby in Mayfair, a members' lounge in Soho or a spa beneath a hotel in Knightsbridge.
This guide is for hoteliers, club founders, general managers and interior designers working in London who want art that feels both timeless and unmistakably their own.
Sacred Devotion, the Eternal Pilgrim of Gold. Enter the world of this photograph, or explore the works collectors cherish most.
London: A City Where Hospitality Has Always Been Curated
London has a long tradition of treating interiors as an art form. At Claridge's, the Art Deco interiors of the 1920s and 1930s still define what Mayfair glamour looks like, all mirrored surfaces, gilded detail and dramatic light. Across town, the Savoy's Art Deco spaces on the Strand tell the same story of gold shining against darkness.
Private members' clubs have deep artistic roots too. The Arts Club, founded in Mayfair in 1863, was created as a meeting place for artists and patrons. In Soho, the Groucho Club was bought by the founders of the gallery Hauser & Wirth together with its art collection, as ArtReview reported. And as Livingetc's guide to London's members' clubs shows, interior design and art have become central to how each club expresses its identity.
This is the London that the Financial Times, The Times, The Telegraph, The Guardian and the Evening Standard cover in their design and lifestyle pages: a city where a hotel or club is judged as much by its atmosphere as by its address.
Why Gold Figurative Photography Works in London Interiors
London interiors have a character of their own: Georgian townhouses with tall sash windows, Victorian mansion blocks, oak-panelled bars, converted warehouses in Shoreditch and King's Cross, and glass towers along the river. Black and gold photography speaks to all of them.
- In period buildings: deep black backgrounds sit naturally against dark panelling, cornicing and heritage paint colours, while the gold figures echo brass fittings, gilded mirrors and candlelight.
- In contemporary spaces: the strong contrast gives warmth and focus to concrete, glass and pale walls.
- In bars and lounges: gold glows under low evening lighting, creating intimacy and drama after dark.
- Under London's soft grey light: gold brings warmth to rooms that see little direct sun for much of the year.
Above all, the human figure creates an emotional connection that abstract art rarely achieves. Guests don't just notice the work. They feel its presence.
Golden Warrior, shown in an interior visualisation. Bring this warrior into your space
Where Art Works Hardest in a London Hotel or Club
The Arrival: Lobby and Reception
The first wall a guest sees sets expectations for the entire stay. A large-format photograph behind reception or facing the entrance creates an immediate sense of arrival, particularly in compact London lobbies, where a single strong work has more impact than several small ones.
Bars, Lounges and Members' Rooms
These are the spaces where people linger. A black and gold photograph above a banquette or fireplace becomes a talking point and a backdrop for countless conversations, and photographs, shared on social media.
Corridors and Guest Rooms
Long corridors are often the most neglected spaces in a London hotel. A coordinated series of diptychs and triptychs turns them into a gallery walk. In guest rooms, a single photograph above the bed gives each room a sense of identity.
Golden Male Figure diptych, imagined above the bed of a luxury suite. Explore the diptych, sizes and editions
Spas, Gyms and Wellness Floors
Many London hotels and clubs now offer spas, pools and fitness studios. Here, images of strength, balance and calm reinforce the purpose of the space, an approach proven at scale across Britain.
Proven in Britain: More Than 120 David Lloyd Clubs
Zack Zublena's photographs have been installed across the interiors of more than 120 David Lloyd fitness and wellness clubs in the UK and Europe, where they are seen by more than one million members.
The gold human figure, expressing strength, discipline and elegance, fits naturally in spaces where the body and wellbeing are at the centre of the experience. This experience shows how a consistent visual language can unite many locations while letting each one keep its own character, something that matters for London hotel groups and clubs with several sites.
Read the full story: Zack Zublena's fine art in David Lloyd Clubs.
Silent Power, the Bowing Shadow in Gold: strength expressed through stillness. Discover the photograph
Practical Considerations for London Projects
- Listed buildings: many London hotels and clubs occupy listed buildings. Use picture rails or existing fixings where possible, and check with your conservation adviser before drilling into historic walls.
- Light: keep photographs out of direct sunlight, and use warm, adjustable lighting to make the gold glow in the evening.
- Scale: measure from the main viewpoint. A work seen across a lobby needs more presence than one seen from a sofa.
- Consistency: for multi-site groups, choose a shared palette or theme so each property feels part of the same story.
- Framing: conservation materials and UV-protective glazing protect the investment, especially in busy public areas.
| Format | Best for |
|---|---|
| Large-format single photograph | Lobbies, reception walls and statement bars |
| Diptychs and triptychs | Long corridors, restaurants and lounges |
| Coordinated series | Guest rooms and multi-site groups |
| Bespoke series | Flagship properties and clubs seeking a signature identity |
London's Art Calendar: Where Inspiration Begins
London's art calendar is one of the richest in the world, and many hotel and club owners find their next acquisition there. Each October, Frieze London and Frieze Masters bring the international art world to Regent's Park. Each spring, Photo London gathers leading photography galleries, and the London Art Fair opens the year every January. Country & Town House keeps a useful guide to the city's art fairs.
From Mayfair, St James's and Marylebone to Soho, Chelsea, Notting Hill, Knightsbridge, Shoreditch and King's Cross, every neighbourhood has its own character, and the right photograph can help a hotel or club express it.
The Golden Couple, a diptych of union and balance. Discover this diptych for your collection
Give Your London Hotel or Club a Signature
In a city where guests have endless choice, atmosphere is what brings them back. A carefully chosen gold photograph can become part of your identity: the image guests remember, photograph and talk about long after they leave.
Explore the Most Collected works, the Dark Elegance and Golden Souls collections, or the Animal Fusion series for a bolder statement. For hotel, club or multi-site projects in London, contact Zack Zublena to discuss a curated selection or a bespoke series.
Frequently Asked Questions
What kind of art suits a London private members' club?
Art with presence and personality. Members' clubs are judged on atmosphere, so works that create emotion and conversation, such as figurative gold photography against deep black backgrounds, often work better than neutral decorative pieces.
Does black and gold photography suit a period building?
Yes. The deep blacks and warm gold sit naturally alongside dark panelling, heritage colours, brass and gilded mirrors. In listed buildings, use picture rails or existing fixings where possible.
Can you supply art for several London properties?
Yes. Zack Zublena's work has been installed in more than 120 David Lloyd clubs, so multi-site projects with a consistent visual identity are familiar territory. Read the David Lloyd story.
Is the gold real?
The gold effect is created with gold body paint and carefully controlled lighting on real people, without digital effects or precious metals.
Can a series be created specifically for my hotel or club?
Yes. For flagship properties, a bespoke series can be developed around your brand story, spaces and guests. Get in touch to discuss your project.
Every photograph is crafted by hand, with real people, real gold body paint and real light. Discover how each work is made, by hand, not AI.
