Labyrinth Artwork
Multi-Site Artworks by Mark Wallinger
Client
Labyrinth Artwork
Date
April 2024
Services:
This ambitious project involved producing 270 individual artworks—one for each Underground station. Links Signs was proud to be selected for the manufacture and installation of these vitreous enamel pieces.
- Transport Signage
- Vitreous Enamel
To celebrate the 150th anniversary of the London Underground, Art on the Underground commissioned Mark Wallinger, one of the UK’s leading contemporary artists, to create a unique multi-site artwork series titled “Labyrinth.”
The Challenge
The task was to fabricate and install 270 distinctive Labyrinth artworks, ensuring that each piece was crafted with precision and met the artist’s vision. Given that most signage and cladding on the Underground are made from vitreous enamel, it was essential that these artworks also utilize this durable material to maintain aesthetic and functional consistency.
Our Solution
Mark Wallinger’s designs feature bold black and red graphics on a white background, with a slightly embossed finish that provides a tactile experience. This was particularly important as it allowed commuters, including those who are visually impaired, to interact with the artworks by tracing the labyrinth paths with their fingers. The vitreous enamel process, completed in our newly built plant, ensured that each piece was not only visually striking but also graffiti-resistant and capable of enduring the daily wear and tear of public spaces.
Artistic Vision
Wallinger approached this commission as a unique opportunity to engage with the entire London Underground system. His Labyrinth designs were conceived to harmonize with iconic Underground elements like the roundel and Harry Beck’s Tube map while presenting something entirely new. The artworks resonate with the Underground’s storied history of graphic art, adding a contemporary yet timeless layer to the passenger experience.
The Artist
Mark Wallinger, a Turner Prize-winning artist, drew inspiration from his childhood memories of the Central Line’s rumble near his home. His fascination with public transport and the concept of ‘transportation’—both physical and spiritual—led him to explore the labyrinth as a symbol of the journey. This ancient motif, found in locations worldwide, including Cornwall’s Rocky Valley, became the foundation for his Underground artwork.
Links Signs and Public Art
Links Signs is dedicated to supporting public art projects that enrich communities and tell meaningful stories. Our work on the Labyrinth project underscores our commitment to collaborating with artists and public bodies to bring creative visions to life. If you’re an artist, art institution, or public body seeking a partner for an upcoming public art project, we’re here to help make it a reality.
