Jock McFadyen with Jem Finer: 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.

Highlights include:

• A reimagining of the acclaimed 'Underground' series, first created in the late 1990s and brought into the present through this unique collaboration.
• The debut of a newly completed work from McFadyen’s Underground series, shown publicly for the first time.
• An immersive soundscape by Jem Finer, using field recordings from the Northern and Central lines to bring the Underground to life.
• Large-scale artworks of iconic London locations, from shadowy Underground stations to open, sunlit cityscapes.
• Captivating artworks such as 'Bank', 'Ghost' and 'Popular Enclosure', capturing both the intensity and calm of the city.
• Each artwork is linked to a specific Tube station, inviting visitors to see London’s transport network - and the city - in a new way.

Time: Daily 10am to 5pm.

Admission: Pay What You Can. You can pay as much or as little as you like for your ticket or visit for free. Income from this exhibition will help the Gallery to put on new public exhibitions and support their education and conservation programmes.

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.