London is one of the greatest cities on the planet for checking out free art. Thanks to TfL’s Art on the Underground initiative, even the tube is packed with world-class artworks. Now, TfL has updated its free Art Map to include permanent commissions that have been installed since 2016.
Art on the Underground was launched in 2000, with site-specific works exploring themes of community, space and place. David Gentleman’s ‘Cross for Queen Eleanor’, for example, is synonymous with Charing Cross, while Eric Aumonier’s sculpture ‘The Archer’ looks imperiously over East Finchley station, linking the site to its historic surroundings as an ancient hunting area.
New temporary commissions are added to the Art on the Underground collection each year, with 26 works in the permanent collection. The updated Art Map is a comprehensive guide to those permanent fixtures, highlighting six major permanent commissions that have launched over the last decade by artists including Alexandre da Cunha, Chantal Joffe and Lucy McKenzie.
The colourful leaflet includes images and accompanying texts for each work featured, as well as instructions for locating each artwork. You can pick up yours in every Zone 1 London Underground station or in other stations that house commissions, like Brixton, Seven Sisters and Sudbury Town.
Art on the Underground is celebrating the launch of the new map with a series of free talks in Underground stations across the city on Sunday March 8. Journalist Amelia Gentleman will discuss her father’s aforementioned ‘Cross for Queen Eleanor’ and artist Larry Achiampong will discuss his 2022 roundel designs at Westminster station. Over at St James’s Park, the head of Art on the Underground Eleanor Pinfield will introduce Hannah Quinlan and Rosie Hastings’ ‘Angels of History’. There’ll be enough time to travel between stations if you want to catch all three talks – see below for the schedule.
Later this month, artist Phoebe Boswell will also launch a new photographic artwork at Bethnal Green and Notting Hill Underground stations. This will be the first of five commissions in Art on the Underground’s 2026 programme, proving that the initiative remains in rude health more than a quarter of a decade since its inception.
In a statement announcing the news, Eleanor Pinfield said: ‘Everyone benefits from the transformational powers of art, and our Art on the Underground programme takes pieces outside of a gallery context and into the public realm, where millions can see them as they travel around London.’
Justine Simons, deputy mayor for culture and the creative industries, added: ‘The updated free Art Map and fantastic series of pop-up events will enable Londoners and visitors to learn more about these inspiring works, as we continue to build a better London for everyone.’
Here’s the full schedule for free Art on the Underground talks on Sunday March 8
- 11.30am and 12.30pm: Amelia and David Gentleman, ‘Cross for Queen Eleanor’, Charing Cross
- 12.15pm and 13.15pm: Larry Achiampong, ‘PAN AFRICAN FLAG FOR THE RELIC TRAVELLERS’ ALLIANCE (UNION)’, Westminster
- 1pm and 2pm: Eleanor Pinfield introduces Hannah Quinlan & Rosie Hastings’ ‘Angels of History’∫ St James’s Park
ICYMI: More tube strikes are coming to the London Underground.
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