Paul Daly (sculptor)


Paul Daly is an Irish sculptor and designer, currently based in London's East End.

Early life

Originally hailing from Dublin, Paul spent the 1970s in Zambia, Zimbabwe and Ghana - an eclectic upbringing that would later influence his design work. His early working life spanned the music industry, as a singer in a band, metal work, shipbuilding, and the fashion industry. Paul's career in design began shortly after the completion of his studies- a foundation course in fashion at The National College of Art and Design in Dublin, followed by a BA degree at Goldsmiths College, London. Daly's graduation year was shared by other noteworthy names in the design industry, including Gary Hume, Sarah Lucas and Fiona Rae. In 1987, Paul relocated to Manhattan, working with many recognised artists and designers. It was here he founded his own business, designing and creating functional furniture such as tables, chairs and doors.

Expanding projects

Paul returned to London in 1988 and set up his own Design Studio and Workshop. The first club project embarked upon by Daly came in the form of Ri Ra, a Dublin venue, in 1993. The same period saw Paul work with U2 on their ‘Zoo TV’ tour. In 1994, work commenced on The Elbow Room in Westbourne Grove - a venue that fused modern design concepts with the humble pool club. It was here that Paul first met fashion designer Ozwald Boateng. This chance encounter led to Paul designing Boateng's Saville Row showroom in 1995. Following this high-profile commission, Daly's volume of work increased dramatically: the following year saw Paul commence work on B Square, Saint, and U2's ‘Pop Mart’ tour. Since this period in the mid-90s, the focus of his studio has remained largely on design work for the bar and restaurant scene.

London designs

In 2003, Paul Daly opened his first bar, Zigfrid, in London's Hoxton Square, expanding it to incorporate a basement bar, Underbelly, in 2005. The success of these first forays into hospitality was closely followed by the opening of his third venue, Roadtrip, on nearby Old Street in 2008, which serves as the most recent project in his own venue portfolio. However, he has continued to take commissions for outside work, and in 2009 his design for Mayfair nightclub 'Vendome' won Best Designed Venue at the London Club and Bar Awards.

A growing career

Despite concentrating largely on the bar industry, Paul's success has continued to attract residential projects, with the biggest to date being the design of 13 high-end apartments in the Spencer Dock development in Dublin. He has also completed charitable commissions, and in 1999 turned his design skills towards the revamp of the homeless centre, ‘The London Connection,’ in Covent Garden. His latest venue in Islington "Rattlesnake" failed and is now closed.

Design work to date

Design work to date:
1988–1993 Various private furniture and sculpture commissions