Air Artists is a pioneering company known for designing and producing some of the most iconic inflatable art pieces for the world’s largest theatres, concert stages, and musical tours. Founded in 1976 by Rob Harries, the company has been at the forefront of pushing the boundaries of inflatable artistry, creating show-stopping pieces that have become integral to some of the most memorable moments in entertainment history. Based in Essex, England, Air Artists has earned a reputation for its unparalleled creativity and engineering, producing inflatables for top-tier artists and global events.
In 1976, when few people understood the potential of inflatables in performance art, Rob Harries saw an opportunity to create something truly unique. The concept was simple yet groundbreaking: combining art, engineering, and performance to create dynamic, large-scale inflatables that could be incorporated into live shows. At a time when most inflatables were considered novelty items or used for simple advertising, Harries envisioned a more artistic and theatrical application.
Starting with basic inflatables, the company’s early work was shaped by experimentation and an innovative spirit. As demand grew, Air Artists quickly became known for pushing the limits of what inflatable art could do in live entertainment.
Over the next four decades, Air Artists evolved into one of the most influential companies in the live performance and event industries. As technology and materials advanced, so did the complexity and scale of the company’s creations. Inflatables could now be designed to interact with the performers, create massive visual impacts, and transform the atmosphere of entire venues.
Some of the most iconic moments in entertainment history have been shaped by Air Artists’ creations. These monumental inflatables have defined certain eras and performances, earning a permanent place in the collective memory of fans worldwide.
At Air Artists, we focus on creating installations that shape how audiences experience a space from the very beginning. For our collaboration with CAVALLUNA, the internationally touring horse show, the brief was to design an entrance that would immediately transport visitors into the world of the performance.
We created a 21 metre wide hand-painted inflatable rock gateway that transforms each arena into a mythical landscape as soon as audiences arrive. Rather than acting as a simple entry point, the structure works as a visual threshold, setting expectations and signalling that what lies beyond is something far removed from the everyday.
Air Artists worked with the talented artist duo, The Cameron Twins, to create a giant three-headed poodle as a custom inflatable sculpture—showcasing the impact of inflatable art, bespoke inflatables and large-scale inflatable installations.
Installed at Protein Studios the piece transformed a 2D illustration into a bold inflatable art installation, becoming a standout feature of the exhibition.
At Air Artists, we specialise in creating bespoke inflatables that transform live performances into unforgettable experiences. For the Scissor Sisters’ inflatable, created as part of their reunion and summer tour, our team designed something bold, playful and impossible to miss: a giant pair of iridescent inflatable scissors that dominated the stage.
When YUNGBLUD appeared at BLUDFEST, his presence extended far beyond the music. A towering inflatable character stood beside the stage, eyes wide, hair ablaze, wrapped in stylised flames and flanked by a skeletal figure. Hand-painted and impossible to ignore, it did more than decorate the space. It helped define the show’s atmosphere before a single note played.
This is how modern inflatables are redefining concert tour stage design. Lightweight, expressive and instantly iconic, they offer touring artists, creative directors and production teams an agile tool for building visual identity and emotional tone. For this project, Air Artists was tasked with creating a one-of-a-kind centrepiece that captured YUNGBLUD’s world in physical form.
When Netflix approached Air Artists to create a striking centrepiece for the launch of Squid Game Series 3, the result was a one-off installation that turned heads across Newcastle’s Quayside. Rather than producing repeatable designs, each inflatable was crafted as a bespoke artwork, made once for a single client and event.
Air Artists, renowned for their transformative approach to inflatable art, recently unveiled a striking 5-metre inflatable Samurai. What sets this piece apart from typical inflatable creations is its meticulous attention to detail, particularly the face—so realistic it challenges viewers to question whether it is, indeed, an inflatable. This masterpiece is part of Air Artists’ broader vision: to push the boundaries of inflatable art, creating sculptures so lifelike they appear to transcend their medium. The inflatable Samurai will be showcased as part of stage set designs for concerts, theatres, festivals, and more, highlighting the incredible versatility of inflatable art.
Air Artists was born in 1976 by Rob Harries in a unique time where very few people knew much about inflatables.
Large-scale creative environments are evolving, and inflatable art installations are at the forefront of this shift. As artists and creative directors look for new ways to transform space, we’re seeing a growing demand for large-scale inflatable art that goes beyond static sculpture and becomes fully immersive. At Air Artists, we work closely with artists, curators, and production […]
...When the Mongolian rock band The HU takes the stage, their performance is about more than just music. It’s a full-scale spectacle of sound, movement and visual drama. When their creative team approached Air Artists to design inflatable artwork with striking detail, the inflatables had to reflect the same epic energy and cultural force that […]
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