Art on the Underground Returns in 2026 to Spark Joy and Celebrate London's Stories

Art on the Underground is set to return in 2026, bringing five new art installations to different locations across the London Tube network. This annual project, which has become a highlight for many Londoners, aims to bring joy, spark conversations, and connect communities through public art. Justine Simons, the Deputy Mayor for culture and the creative industries, emphasized that these new works will enrich the journeys of commuters and highlight stories that celebrate the diversity and resilience of London. The theme for this year’s art focuses on things that are often missing from public spaces, such as the lost waterways of London, venues that once supported local voices, and the hidden work done by night-time employees.

One of the main highlights will be at Bethnal Green and Notting Hill Underground stations, where London-based artist Phoebe Boswell will unveil a large photographic artwork in March. Her piece is inspired by local Black swimming communities and will explore water as a place of healing, the trauma of migration, and the power people have when they come together. Meanwhile, American artist Ellen Gallagher will design the 42nd pocket Tube map, using her art to explore colonial landscapes and myths about the sea.

Other exciting projects include an audio installation at Waterloo station by London composer and DJ Ain Bailey, which will run for ten days during the summer. At Stratford station, Scottish painter Caroline Walker will introduce a large artwork in September that shines a light on women who work on the Tube at night. In November, Brixton Underground station will feature a new mural by painter Hurvin Anderson. Eleanor Pinfield, Head of Art on the Underground, said these works help shape how we experience and remember the places we travel through, whether they are part of our daily routine or special moments in our lives. The return of Art on the Underground promises to make traveling in London more engaging and to celebrate the city’s rich and diverse culture.