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London Underground's public art celebrated

News imageTFL A colourful mural with lots of faces and people in a bold graphic colours on the entrance to Brixton Tube. People in the foreground enter the station.TFL
The Congregation by Rudy Loewe can be seen at Brixton Underground station

An updated map for London Underground passengers to discover artworks that have appeared across the network over the past decade has been issued.

The free guide features 26 permanent pieces now installed on the Tube, with new commissions added since the last update in 2016, Transport for London (TfL) said.

The refreshed map is intended to encourage Londoners to explore how public art can transform everyday journeys.

To mark the launch, a series of free pop‑up talks by artists, curators and family members will take place in stations on Sunday.

News imageLondon Transport Museum Picture of the work David Gentleman, 'Cross for Queen Eleanor', 1979, Charing Cross Underground stationLondon Transport Museum
David Gentleman's 1979 work Cross for Queen Eleanor can be seen at Charing Cross Underground station
News imageTfL A picture of the map in someone's handTfL
The maps will be available at every Zone 1 station

Journalist Amelia Gentleman will speak at Charing Cross to discuss the work called Cross for Queen Eleanor, created by her father David Gentleman nearly 50 years ago.

Artist Larry Achiampong will host talks at Westminster, reflecting on his reimagined roundel designs that incorporate Pan‑African colours.

A further talk at St James's Park will introduce Angels of History, the first mosaic work by artist duo Hannah Quinlan and Rosie Hastings.

Art on the Underground has commissioned site‑specific works since 2000, from mosaics and murals to large‑scale installations.

TfL says this year's theme explores subterranean histories and hidden labour, reflecting on underrepresented voices across the network.

News imageAlastair Fyfe Picture of Larry Achiampong's, Pan-African Flag for the Relic Travellers’ Alliance (Union), 2022, Westminster Underground stationAlastair Fyfe
Larry Achiampong's Pan-African Flag for the Relic Travellers' Alliance (Union) from 2022 can be seen at Westminster Underground station

The new leaflet highlights artists such as Alexandre da Cunha, Chantal Joffe and Lucy McKenzie, whose works now sit among commissions dating back to 1929.

Later this month, Phoebe Boswell will unveil a photographic artwork at Bethnal Green and Notting Hill as the first of five commissions scheduled for 2026.

The annual programme will also feature new work by artists Ellen Gallagher, Ain Bailey and Caroline Walker over the coming months.

Copies of the map are available free of charge in all Zone 1 stations and at selected locations beyond, including Brixton, Seven Sisters and Sudbury Town.

News imageTfL Picture of Hannah Quinlan and Rosie Hastings, Angels of History, 2024, St James's Park Underground stationTfL
Hannah Quinlan's and Rosie Hastings' 2024 work Angels of History adorns St James's Park Underground station

Eleanor Pinfield, head of art on the Underground, said: "Everyone benefits from the transformational powers of art, and our programme takes pieces outside of a gallery context and into the public realm."

Justine Simons, deputy mayor for culture, said: "From murals in Brixton to The Arches on Gloucester Road and mysterious mazes across stations, for over a decade Art on the Underground has brought joy, inspiration and great art for free."

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