Philip Colbert’s Lobsters Are Coming To London’s Favourite Salad Spot

A salad bar might not scream fun. But London hotspot The Salad Project is shaking up what you thought about the dish with a pop-up from one of the most vibrant artists of the moment, Philip Colbert. 

Philip Colbert x The Salad Project: What To Expect

This summer, the Scottish pop artist – who created our 2025 Great British Brands cover – is bringing his lobster sculptures and vinyls to The Salad Project’s stores, which are dotted across the capital. A number of limited edition signed prints will also be available to buy via The Salad Project’s website from 7 July 2025.

Alongside the artworks, two new salads will appear on the menu inspired by Colbert’s work. Naturally, the artist’s signature motif will feature: The Lobster is made up of lobster and crab mayo, cucumber-chilli pickle, cherry tomatoes, lemon, brioche croutons and Tabasco with an apple cider vinaigrette. The Pop Salad, meanwhile, is a vegan version. 

‘I like the idea of supporting a young company that’s doing something positive,’ says Colbert. ‘I thought it would be fun to create an artistic intervention within the Salad Project space – to surprise people on their lunch break with something they may not expect. To bring a bit of energy and humour into the everyday.’

The collaboration marks the start of SP Creates, The Salad Project’s new event series designed to bring together art, culture and community. 

Colbert has become globally renowned for his cartoon lobster persona and surrealist contemporary art. Why the lobster, you may wonder? Well, turns out the crustacean is actually very symbolic. ‘In antiquity, it was part of the “triangle of death” with the eel and octopus, symbolising the circle of life,’ Colbert told C&TH’s Lucy Cleland. ‘In Dutch painting, it was a symbol of mortality, where its red hue signified death, yet it was often depicted alive, its claws raised as if still moving,’

He uses the motif to explore themes ranging from identity to consumerism, often blending classical symbols with futuristic tech. In 2021, for instance, he launched Lobsteropolis in the metaverse, and he has since been building his virtual lobster planet. His latest gallery at the Saatchi Gallery, meanwhile, is centred around two giant AI-assisted paintings, with nods to ancient battle and Renaissance compositions. 

The Salad Project, meanwhile, was founded in 2021 by Florian and James, who wanted to redefine fast food with nourishing dishes. There are seven stores across London in places like Bank and Oxford Circus, focusing on high-quality ingredients and unique flavour combinations. On the menu you’ll find salads like The SP Caesar, made with honey mustard chicken or black pepper prawns and crumbled parmesan; Mega Babe, a mix of antipasto peppers, roasted salmon and ranch dressing; and Mex on the Beach, which features either sesame chilli tofu or coconut lime chicken breast, roasted corn salsa and chipotle chips with a coriander and lime dressing.

Currently, there’s also The Jamie Laing Salad, a special inspired by the podcaster and Radio 1 DJ, which includes pulled beef, pickled chillies, sour watermelon and roasted corn, with a green tahini dressing. Who said salads had to be boring?

VISIT:

The collaboration is running from 7 July – 3 August 2025, saladproject.co.uk