Ten artists have been chosen to display artworks on sites across the London Tube network, as part of Art on the Underground’s latest campaign stating London is united and open to the world following the EU referendum. Sadiq Khan, London’s Mayor and the Turner Prize nominated artist David Shrigley we out yesterday launching the new campaign, displaying a series of works by top UK and international artists. The artworks will be featured across the Underground Tube network, carrying the message ‘London is open to all’.
David Shrigley’s design ‘London: Everyone Welcome’ joins work from Tania Bruguera, Gillian Wearing and Mark Titchner rolling out across the Tube network on large scale poster sites and digital displays, incorporating the themes of openness and diversity.
The Mayor today joined David Shrigley, Deputy Mayor for Culture Justine Simons and Team London ambassadors at Southwark Tube Station to unveil the Turner prize nominee’s work and distribute limited edition Oyster card wallets bearing his design to commuters. The ambassadors are part of a 600-strong cohort currently summer visitors to the capital at key points in central London including Piccadilly Circus, Parliament Square and Southbank.
Sadiq Khan, said: “Art is a hugely powerful way to say that London is open – open for business, open to ideas, and open to the people from across the world who have chosen to live and work here. London’s world renowned arts and cultural activity is testament to the success of London as an international city.
“We’ve asked some of the world’s leading artists like David Shrigley to help us communicate the simple but vital message that despite the uncertainties around Brexit, that London will remain an international city that embraces and celebrates diversity, a city where everyone is welcome, and a city that will not cut itself off from the rest of the world.”
“It’s been wonderful to see the #LondonIsOpen campaign embraced by Londoners of all ages and backgrounds and hundreds of organisations across our city. This new artwork will make it clear to Londoners going about their everyday lives that #LondonisOpen to everyone, and this is message we will continue to send around the world.”
The work of six more artists will appear across London Underground throughout the rest of the Summer and into the Autumn. Pieces by Sol Calero, Alexandre da Cunha, Jeremy Deller, Hew Locke, Indra Khanna and Bedwyr Williams will be displayed in stations from September.
Eleanor Pinfield, Head of Art on the Underground: “We offer artists a unique way of responding to and exhibiting in London. Their works become part of the dynamic fabric of the city, enriching the daily lives of Tube-goers with creativity, diversity, insight and beauty.
“Billions of journey are made on the London Underground every year – not just by Londoners, but by people from across the world. Art on the Underground has been reaching a diverse, multicultural, global audience for all our projects over the past 15 years and we are proud to be a unique partner for the Mayor of London’s #Londonisopen campaign.
“All ten artists we approached to be part of the project were brimming with ideas for how they might exhibit and distribute works in the next two months, and we look forward to announcing further details on the programme for the autumn.”
David Shrigley said: ‘We need to send a message loud and clear that whoever you are, and whatever your background London is still open to you. I’m delighted to be part of such an important campaign – as artists we see every day that our City’s vibrancy and success is intrinsically linked to being open to people and ideas from across the world. This campaign is about what kind of city we want to live in – and I’m proud to be working with the Mayor to get across the message that our capital is a place where everyone is welcome.’
#LondonIsOpen campaign