Who knew Stockholm had an art gallery in its subway stations?!! Well, actually I knew about it, but it wasn’t until I took a tour that I realized how cool it was. When I was living in Stockholm 12 years ago, I never really paid much attention to it, and I certainly didn’t know it was a “planned” permanent art exhibition. So…during a recent trip to in Stockholm, I decided to take the Stockholm Metro Art Tour. I ended up visiting a total of 12 subway stations, of which 3 were on the guided tour.
T-Centralen was the first station to exhibit art in 1957. Today, Stockholm Metro has art in more than 90 stations, featuring over 150 artists, in what they like to call “the world’s longest art exhibition.” Though each station has its own identity and vibe, my favorite turned out to be Solna Centrum with its red and green brightly painted cavern walls, wide converging walkways, deep escalators, and it’s conspicuously clean polished floors.
Discover your favorite Stockholm Metro Station; every Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday at 3:00PM (in English). The 1 hour tour covers the history of Stockholm’s subway system and the history of the art work on display. The tour is free with a valid metro ticket. The meeting point is at T-Centralen Metro Station at the SL Center at Sergels torg. This tour serves as a teaser as it only includes 3 to 4 metro stations. However, once equipped with what to look for, and with the handy Metro Art Guide, you are free to explore and tour on your own. All for the price of a valid metro ticket.
*To Enlarge the photo, click on the image, then click again.
Zinkensdamm – Tiled Walls at Platform Level
Zinkensdamm – Color Prints
Universitetet -The UN Declaration of Human Rights
Universitetet – Travels of Linnaeus Rolander Tiles
Universitetet – Red Tile Walls
T-Centralen – Engraved Concrete Pillars
T-Centralen -White Tiled Walls with Figures
Stadion – Bright Colors on Blue Rock
Stadion – Blue Halls
Solna Centrum – Walkway to Escalators
Solna Centrum – Red & Green Painted Platform Walls
Råhuset – Pink Cave and Escalators (Stockholm Metro Station)
Rådmansgatan- Enamel works depicting life of August Stindberg
Östermalmstorg – Women’s Rights Movement
Mariatorget – Wrought Iron Gates
Mariatorget – Ceramic Wall with Plant Motifs
Mariatorget – Bronze Sculpture on Platform
Mariatorget – Approaching Train Passing Photos on Platform
Gamla Stan – Tiled Medieval Motif
Fridhemsplan -Wall Painting
Fridhemsplan -Wall Painting Close Up
Fridhemsplan -Walkway Green Line to Blue Line
Fridhemsplan – Anchor
About Terri Lundberg
Great photos – and I love how they’re organized. I know the Montreal metro is one of the most art-filled, but this one is impressive too.
Thank You.
I’ve never been to Montreal, but I want to go. Thanks for the heads up, I’m definitely going to check that out while there. I can do a comparison. 🙂