Who is Bird Shoes?

Robin (AKA Bird Shoes) is an artist from the south coast of England. Specialising in clean cut, striking illustration, Robin has created his own brand of abstract with a commercial awareness.

His connection to art began early, growing up under the wing of his father who was a traditional sign writer, he grew up immersed in hand-drawn lettering and craft. Raised in rural England, he absorbed a distinct spectrum of British subcultures that shaped his visual language. From punk and skate culture to time spent around the gypsy traveller community, his work draws on British heritage with a sharp edge.

Without a formal education or university pathway, he entered the creative industry at 19 as a junior designer and has worked in graphic design ever since.

In 2019, he secured an apprenticeship at a London Tattoo studio. Within six months he had built a loyal following and went on to open his own tattoo studio in a shipping container in Bethnal Green. He later moved to Blank Collective in South London, where he continues to balance tattooing with design and illustration.

Over the past decade, Robin has built a strong foundation in branding and visual story telling, collaborating with major names including Marks & Spencer and artists such as Kneecap.

Alongside illustration and design, he is also a musician and is currently developing his new band, Glass Spider, with music set for release in 2026.