One of the key inspirations for Lincoln Townley’s 2026 La Biennale exhibition has been looking at what it takes in life to succeed, push boundaries and win. This work explores the convergence of finance, excess, and nightlife. The painting depicts bankers indulging in a hedonistic escape from the pressures of their high-stakes world. 

The neon-lit energy of London’s Soho is captured through bold, electric hues of bright green and deep orange, evoking the pulsating atmosphere of the district’s nightlife. Townley uses these striking colors to represent the duality of the banking world, where power and play coexist in a constant cycle. The work, which took over 2 months to complete due to the careful layering of oil paints, reflects Townley’s attention to detail and his commitment to capturing the texture and movement of the face of the banker.

‘Soho’s Monetary Vortex’ will be on display at Palazzo Mora in 2026, offering a captivating commentary on the intersection of wealth, work, and revelry in the modern financial age.