Underground (and Surface) Exhibition

Step into the sensory world of London’s Tube in Guildhall Art Gallery's immersive exhibition by Jock McFadyen RA and Jem Finer of The Pogues.

'Jock McFadyen with Jem Finer: Underground (and Surface)' brings together Jock McFadyen’s large-scale Tube station paintings, revisiting his Underground series from the late 1990s, with a layered soundscape by Jem Finer of The Pogues, composed from field recordings on the Northern and Central lines.

Image and sound combine to transform familiar stations, signage and everyday noises into an immersive experience, encouraging visitors to see and listen to the Underground anew.

The exhibition then opens out into a sequence of works, presenting McFadyen’s expansive cityscapes and earlier paintings featuring people.

Set above ground, these works offer a striking counterpoint to the enclosed spaces of the subway, shifting the focus from subterranean movement to the broader rhythms and human presence of the city.

Please note: this exhibition features background music incorporating the sound of a tube train passing through a tunnel, which some visitors may find uncomfortable. Ear defenders will be available to borrow at the reception desk; feel free to ask a member of our team for a pair if you would like to use them during your visit.