British author, publisher and Banksy’s former agent Steve Lazarides has opened a physical expansion to his popular Laz Emporium online store in Soho, London. Serving as a shop and exhibition space, the new store supply’s a range of eclectic art merchandise spanning homeware, furniture, print editions, original works, collectibles, books and much more.
Laz Emporium was launched online in 2020 as a follow up to Lazarides’ hugely successful Banksy Captured volumes. The two books featuring Lazarides’ own photography spotlighted unseen images of Banksy creating some of his most iconic works. Within its first year of business, Laz Emporium has quickly established itself as a go-to destination for edgy curiosities curated by Lazarides’ fertile imagination. Lazarides is a disruptive force in the art market and a pioneering figure in the popularisation of street art: his new store will be a must-see destination for anyone wishing to be shocked, amused, and immersed in his uniquely creative mindset.
The product prices range from books at £25 to one-off furniture at £20,000 and beyond.
Centrepieces of the shop include pieces by prominent British artists Jonathan Yeo and Jamie Hewlett, co-creator of the virtual band Gorillaz. The new art, homeware and esoteric designs in stock have been created by many of Britain’s most eclectic contemporary artists and creators including Jake Chapman, Charming Baker, and War Boutique. Graffiti art is represented by New York’s Stash, Berlin’s Mode 2, and London’s Teach who’s also contributed to the space’s design. Lazarides’ own photography from the Banksy Captured books and other personal projects are available too. All items are UK sourced or UK-made at Lazarides’ family-run workshop in Bristol.
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On the opening night, Steve Lazarides said: “We’re creating new pieces, made by ourselves in the new Laz Studio out in the Wild West Country. These will be on sale next to objects d’anarchy from my own archive. Laz Emporium is the physical manifestation of my aspiration to be Ian McShane’s roguish, 80s TV antiques dealer Lovejoy. My collection is the product of my bipolar mind, always leaping from one area of fascination to another.”
The store is opened alongside a new exhibition space which will feature a series of shows curated by Lazarides. The inaugural event will present works by Scottish design and art studio War Boutique which was founded in 2003 as a response to the Iraq war. Laz Emporium will roll out monthly shows throughout the year after the opening of the store.
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