A man with a global remit and an eye for the elusive, we spoke to Rubinger about the novel and the notable in luxury and travel.
15 February, 2018
With
a predilection for the historical, artist and interior
decorator, Luke Edward Hall is a compelling individual.
Influenced by the likes of Cecil Beaton, William Morris and Andy
Warhol, his creations are a hybrid of pop-art, abstractionism and
maximalism. Working primarily as an illustrator, Hall’s dreamy
renderings – scored with an arsenal of watercolours, oil pastels
and coloured pencils – are notably subdued in contrast to his
eccentric interiors.
His colourful aesthetic is informed by a love of history, an
appreciation of beauty and a sense of playfulness. A firm believer
in the phrase “a change is as good as a rest”, Hall’s painterly eye
is always in sharp focus. With a susceptibility to souvenirs and a
penchant for travel, for Hall a trip is made by the presence of
boyfriend Duncan Campbell, good food and interesting things to see.
A hotel notepad for doodling is also desirable.
I often describe it as being informed by a love of history, an
appreciation of beauty and a sense of playfulness. My world is
colourful, romantic and a bit nostalgic.
India, in only a couple of weeks! I can’t wait; I’ve been
wanting to visit for years. We’re going to Rajasthan
this time – Udaipur
and
Jaipur. I’m hoping for the full Darjeeling Limited
experience.
At the beginning of this year we spent almost two weeks driving
from Los
Angeles to San
Francisco, staying at various places along the way, including
Big
Sur, which I fell in love with. It felt like a real adventure I
suppose in part because it was a
road trip but also because Big Sur felt so remote and
magical.
Probably the Amalfi Coast – we’ve been going every year for the
past four years or so and we’ve grown really fond of the area and
its restaurants, hotels and people.
Do your research before you go. I adore restaurants and I’m big
on finding the right places to eat – not the most expensive, but
the right places. I want to eat the local food – nothing touristy.
It can be fun stumbling across a restaurant, but I hate wasting an
opportunity on a bad meal.
A lovely
Greek island because I’ve never been to Greece. Also Seville,
Brittany, Bavaria, Marrakech
and
Tangier.
I’ve been fascinated with Ancient Greek and Roman history since
childhood – the
myths and legends, the art and architecture. I use motifs
inspired by these cultures in my work a lot as there is so much
wonderful imagery to draw upon. When I first started painting
ceramics, I created a whole set of plates and platters inspired by
the Ancient Greek heroes. I suppose it’s the romance, magic and
mystery of it all that gets me.
I love a souvenir. We go to Italy often and usually end up
bringing colourful ceramics home from Venice
and Capri. Wherever I go I’ll always bring something back with me –
even if it’s just a book or a postcard for my scrapbook. My
souvenirs tell the stories of my favourite holidays and trips –
they hold so many good memories.
Italy! I’ve always found the country extremely inspirational.
I’ve still got lots of Italy left to visit but I love how each city
or area feels completely different from each other – Milan
and
Rome for example are poles apart. Ah, Italy… I love the cities,
the countryside, the coast, the food, the people, the architecture,
the history and the culture.
I’ve loved putting my drawings onto products – I’ve made key
rings with Burberry, embroidered slippers with Stubbs & Wootton
and tablecloths with Summerill & Bishop. I’m launching some
jewellery this year and a small line of men’s clothes and
accessories. Drawing is my number one passion and I’m really
excited about putting on an exhibition in London this
spring/summer.
Absolutely – I love the phrase “a change is as good as a rest”.
Visiting a new place, seeing new things or even visiting an old
place that you love – there’s really nothing better. Travelling
keeps my creativity levels topped up.
I guess so – I’m always sketching on whatever’s available
including napkins and notepaper. Although saying that I’ve always
loved Picasso’s drawings on hotel notepaper and if I find
particularly nice notepaper in a hotel I’ll draw on it or bring it
home to draw on. Sometimes I’ll frame it – another souvenir.
As someone who dabbles in interior design and makes things for
the home, the interior is naturally very important to me. It should
reflect the location it’s in; I despise that bland international
look and I’m not a fan of chains unless they’re small and done
well, like
The Pig hotels. When it comes to interiors, I like an eclectic
collection of things and a mix of old and new. I love that special
atmosphere you often come across when staying in an individual
hotel – a place that’s looked after by owners who really care. Le
Sirenuse in Positano springs to mind – the whole place fizzes with
personality and life. I’m usually drawn to European hotels with an
interesting history and a faded sense of grandeur, like L’Hotel in Paris or Hotel Locarno in Rome.
At least three books and usually a mix of genres – a biography
maybe and a couple of novels, headphones, a Polaroid or disposable
camera, sketchbooks and colouring pencils.