To coincide with the opening of the new Tate Modern on 17 June, celebrated artist Michael Craig-Martin has reimagined the iconic London Underground roundel at Southwark station in collaboration with Tate Modern and Art on the Underground.
The roundel will take on Craig-Martin’s characteristically fresh palette for the opening weekend of the new Tate Modern and will be in place from early morning on Friday 17 June to last thing on Sunday 19 June. The artworks will welcome visitors at the platforms at Southwark Tube station, the Underground stop closest to Tate Modern.
Frances Morris, Director of Tate Modern, said:
“As art changes, we are changing. So it’s fitting to change this London icon for the opening weekend of the new Tate Modern. Michael’s artwork will be a fantastic addition to the weekend with the roundels being the first artwork people encounter when they travel to Southwark station. We are always looking at innovative ways to take art beyond the gallery walls and this fits the bill perfectly.”
Eleanor Pinfield, Head of Art on the Underground, said: “We’re delighted to share Michael Craig-Martin’s fresh take on the roundel with our customers at Southwark Tube station. Working with leading artists is at the core of our aim to present extraordinary public art to our customers, and this vibrant new commission celebrates Tate Modern’s significant cultural contribution with a link to its local Tube station.”
Michael Craig-Martin said:
“It is particularly nice to have the opportunity to play a little with such a classic motif as the Tube roundel. I hope that it catches the eye and the imagination of people arriving to see the extraordinary new Tate Modern. ”
The roundel takeover forms part of the Art of the Underground programme, which aims to improve customer journeys on the London Underground through inspiring public art.
The opening of the new Tate Modern will be celebrated by free live performances, new commissions and a host of other special events, and it will stay open until 22:00 each evening over the weekend.
ENDS
For further information or images please contact Rebecca Ward for Tate press office on 07977 071450 or rebecca@rebeccaward.co.uk .
NOTES TO EDITORS
The London Underground Roundel
The roundel first appeared on Underground station platforms in 1908. The bar and circle, as it became known, comprised a solid red enamel disc and horizontal blue bar. These early roundels, framed with timber mouldings, were introduced as station name boards. The new device gave prominence to the name of the station, and helped passengers distinguish it from surrounding commercial advertising.
Michael Craig-Martin (b.1941) is a sculptor and painter whose work, known for its elegant restraint and conceptual clarity, has been displayed worldwide. He is also recognized for his powerful influence on students during his time teaching at Goldsmiths College in the 1980s and 1990s. www.michaelcraigmartin.co.uk
The new Tate Modern is the world’s most popular gallery of modern and contemporary art. The newly built Switch House is Britain’s most important new cultural building for almost 20 years. Tate’s collection of international modern art has been completely transformed since Tate Modern first opened in 2000 – it is now far more international and diverse, including more photography, performance and film, as well as more work by women artists. The free displays feature 800 works by over 300 artists from over 50 countries. The Switch House increases the size of Tate Modern by 60% and offers a huge new variety of spaces and experiences for visitors. www.tate.org.uk
About Art on the Underground
Art on the Underground is London’s largest art programme, enabling Tube customers to experience art every day through unique collaborations with world-class artists. From single site large-scale commissions at locations such as Gloucester Road station to pocket-size commissions for the cover of the Tube map, Art on the Underground has gathered a roll-call of the best artists in the last 15 years, maintaining art as a central element of Transport for London’s identity and engaging passengers and staff in a strong sense of shared ownership. art.tfl.gov.uk
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