Checking-in with Luke Hannam

This month we asked local artist Luke Hannam to step away from his easel for a quick check-in. Hannam grew up in Derbyshire on the edge of the Peak District which he describes as a rural and relatively free childhood. He studies art at Chesterfield college in the early 1980s , then Canterbury College of Art where he was tutored by Mali Morris RA, Stass Paraskos and Rob Welch, who all had a major influence on his approach to painting.

Moving to the North-East of England principally to paint, Hannam also made music, finding success in the 1990s with his band ENC, and later with his second project Gramme, a band with whom he has continued to write, record and tour. The influences of post-punk, hip-hop and dance culture had a major impact on Hannam’s creative personality, establishing a deep commitment to mixing languages and styles; he compares his approach to bass playing to the way he draws and paints – passionate, brutal and raw.

His artwork was represented by The Anima Mundi Gallery, who presented two major solo shows in 2021 and 2023.  His works have also been shown at the Saatchi Gallery and 8 Holland Street. Hannam continues to evolve his work and more recently is the co-founder of @_practiseroom where he teaches group and individual workshops and leads retreats. We are delighted to have Luke and his work as part of our extended artistic community; his paintings and drawings add a singular depth to The George and its atmosphere.

What brings you to The George?

I love the secret Courtyard. It is a friendly labyrinth where you can always find a seat or nook to enjoy a drink and bump into friends.

What is your earliest hotel memory?

Interesting question. I think my honeymoon. Not sure I stayed in one before. We stayed in the Paramount Hotel, designed by Phillipe Starck.

What is the best/most important part of staying away in a hotel for you?

Feeling completely catered and looked after, like you’re floating on air and feeling special.

Besides The George, which hotel would you most like to check out?

The Chelsea Hotel in New York.

Do you have a hotel lobby/lift story to share?

Getting stuck in a lift with Glenn Tillbrook, the guitarist from Squeeze. I am a big fan and I couldn’t believe my luck! I still love him. I asked him all sorts of questions, mainly about the lyrics to ‘Up the Junction’.

What is your favourite feature in The George?

Well, has to be my paintings on the walls! Haha, joking…seriously the courtyard. I love sitting there.

What helps you get to sleep at night? (Keep it clean!)

Pills.

Hypothetically, who would you most like to discover is a fellow guest?

Matisse.

My secret Rye discovery is…

That you can cycle safely to the sea.