TfL: New Tube map cover pays tribute to green fingered staff

A new London Underground map cover which pays tribute to Transport for London’s (TfL) green fingered staff is being launched this weekend.

The artwork is the 39th piece commissioned by Art on the Underground to adorn the cover of a pocket Tube map and launches as London’s iconic Tube map celebrates its 90th anniversary this year.

The new pocket Tube map features a rich photographic collage by artist Joy Gregory, inspired by more than 100 years of cultivated gardens on London’s transport network.

Since 2004, there have been two new artist-designed Tube map covers every year, with previous artists including Joy Labinjo, Larry Achiampong and Phyllida Barlow.

Gregory, who works primarily in photography, has taken inspiration for her map cover from TfL’s annual staff gardening competition ‘In Bloom’, which recognises staff for cultivating gardens in unlikely station environments.

Gregory was inspired by Morden station’s garden and its bounty of fruit and vegetables, naming the piece after what the station’s Customer Service Manager calls ‘a little slice of paradise.’

Gregory’s pocket Tube map cover pays tribute to the staff that work hard to make the transport network a welcoming environment. ‘A Little Slice of Paradise’ features a cyanotype image of chickweed digitally collaged with photographs of flowers including camellias, dahlias and nasturtiums in station gardens.

A cyanotype is a Victorian photographic technique that captures the imprint of an object laid on top of light-sensitive photographic paper in blue hues and without the use of a camera.

“The most beautiful and rewarding part of working on this commission was seeing the positive impact these gardens had on the lives of people using the transportation system, as well as the pleasure it conveyed to the creators of these enchanting spaces and their colleagues,” said Gregory.

“Our Tube stations are not just transport hubs, they are icons of design and each one has something that makes it special,” said Justine Simons, deputy mayor for Culture and Creative Industries

Cultivated gardens on London’s transport network are part of that rich tapestry and I want to thank artist Joy Gregory for merging past and present floral designs in the new pocket Tube map cover.

“It is a wonderful daily reminder for all of us who travel on the Tube network of the effort and dedication TfL staff have put into maintaining these magnificent gardens. Thank you for making our commute more enjoyable, helping us build a greener and better London for all.”