Transport for London
Printable version

Find the facts on Underground art

Special art tours are taking place on the Tube this weekend to showcase some of the major works of art which have now become permanent features of the Underground.

The artworks, which include paintings, sculptures and mosaics, together form the largest public art programme in London and are seen by millions of passengers every day who travel by Tube.

The free 90-minute tours start at either St James's Park station or Edgware Road and take people on a journey to some of the most famous artworks.

It includes pieces by Daniel Buren, Jacqueline Poncelet, John Maine and Knut Henrik Henriksen, plus Mark Wallinger's well-known 'Labyrinth' works, which adorn every one of the 270 Tube stations on the London Underground network.

People will also see the controversial works by Jacob Epstein (far right) whose 'Day' and 'Night' sculptures at St James's Park station created public outrage when they were unveiled in 1929 and Eduardo Paolozzi's mosaics at Tottenham Court Road station.

Map
The Sunday tours coincide with the launch of the Art Tube Map, the first comprehensive guide to artworks on the Underground. Copies are available in all zone 1 stations.

Head of Art on the Underground, Eleanor Pinfield, said: 'Art on the Underground continues the legacy of London Underground's visionary managing director, Frank Pick, commissioning artists to create unique works for the enjoyment of our customers.

'The Art Map is the first map that celebrates this programme that has created extraordinary projects making art accessible for everyone, every day.'

As part of the programme, a free panel discussion is being held tomorrow, Thursday, at London Transport Museum, Covent Garden when people can meet artists such as Jacqueline Poncelet and Zineb Sedira and discover some of the ideas behind their works.

Tours start at 11am, 1pm and 5pm and tickets must be booked in advance by emailing art@tube.tfl.gov.uk

 

Channel website: https://tfl.gov.uk/

Share this article

Latest News from
Transport for London

Free, Secure, Compliant UK Public Sector IT Recycling Service