LONDON.- British pop artist Philip Colbert has taken over Waddesdon Manor as part of the historic estate’s annual Summer Fest, with a lively programme of performances, art, live music, food and drink.

From 19 June – 6 July, Philip Colbert’s vibrant sculpture Lobster Flower (reclining) takes pride of place in the spectacular grounds surrounding the French-style château. Additional stainless-steel sculpture, Lobster Sunflowers, is also featured on the South Front overlooking the Victorian Parterre.

Philip Colbert’s latest creations adorn the historic gardens, now lush with vibrant summer greenery. At the heart of the display, Lobster Flower (Reclining)—a lounging lobster sculpture intertwined with blooming florals—takes centre stage, adding a whimsical, Alice in Wonderland-like charm to the grounds. Visitors can also take home a piece of Colbert’s playful pop-art world with exclusive merchandise available in the shop, including teacups, prints, stickers, tea towels, and t-shirts—each blending his imaginative style with Waddesdon’s rich heritage and natural beauty.

Waddesdon Manor’s summer festival takes inspiration from Baron Ferdinand de Rothschild’s famous late 19th-century ‘Saturday to Monday’ house parties. The opulent gatherings were so legendary that they even caught the attention of Queen Victoria in 1890.

Set within the historic gardens of Waddesdon Manor, the works create a striking contrast between contemporary pop art and classical architecture, showcasing Colbert’s enduring commitment to making art that is both playful and widely accessible. Colbert’s surreal twist on the flower symbol as a powerful, universal metaphor of beauty, renewal and nature’s ongoing cycles, delves into themes of rebirth and transformation, with the lobster — a creature known for moulting its shell—symbolising regeneration and change.

While Colbert’s sculpture display celebrates the energy, colour, and revitalising spirit of summer, the whimsical creations carry forward Waddesdon’s legacy of surrealism and contemporary art—introducing bold, imaginative pieces that engage in dialogue with the estate’s rich history and stunning natural landscape.

In 2023, this dialogue was epitomised by acclaimed Portuguese artist Joana Vasconcelos, who unveiled Wedding Cake—a 12-metre-high, three-tiered sculptural pavilion resembling a pastel-coloured wedding cake. Blending sculpture with architectural folly, the immersive artwork combined elements of pâtisserie, design, and architecture, its tiled surface shimmering in icing-like hues of pale pink, green, and blue.

Since entering the art world in 2017, Colbert has gained widespread recognition for his bold, vibrant fusion of pop culture references, metaphors, and concepts — alongside an alter ego that, in many ways, has overshadowed his own presence in the scene. His iconic lobster character has arguably become more recognisable than he is himself — a fact Philip embraces, saying, “I became an artist when I became a lobster.”

The house of Waddesdon Manor, commissioned by Ferdinand de Rothschild after purchasing the estate near Aylesbury in 1874. Designed as a fairytale setting, it served as a home for Ferdinand’s art collection and a venue for lavish weekend gatherings. Frequent visitors included the future Edward VII, while Queen Victoria was so fascinated by the then-novel electric lighting that she repeatedly asked for the lights to be turned on and off. Inside, the mansion is a French-inspired fantasy, adorned with 18th-century panelling, tapestries, rare porcelain, and masterpieces by artists such as Watteau and Gainsborough.

Born in Scotland and now based in London, Philip Colbert is often dubbed the “godson of Andy Warhol.” He has garnered a global following through his signature cartoon lobster persona and striking hyper-pop history paintings. His work boldly investigates the patterns of modern digital culture while engaging in a rich dialogue with art history.

After earning an MA in Philosophy from the University of St Andrews, Colbert’s art has gained international recognition in galleries and museums around the world for its dynamic and innovative approach to both painting and pop theory. Building on the legacy of early Pop artists like Richard Hamilton, Roy Lichtenstein, and James Rosenquist, his paintings weave together themes from classical art and contemporary theory with symbols of mass consumer culture—all seen through the lens of his lobster alter ego. He has been celebrated as a modern pop art visionary by prominent figures such as Charles Saatchi and Simon de Pury.