NYC Subway Art

January 22, 2019

Bronx icons radiate light in Rico Gatson’s murals at reopened 167th Street station

A series of bright mosaic murals created by artist Rico Gatson was revealed last week at the 167th Street B, D station in the Bronx, which recently reopened after months of repair work. The artwork, "Beacons," features eight portraits of figures who have contributed to culture and society and who also have a special connection to the broader New York City community. Figures honored include Gil Scott-Heron, Tito Puente, Celia Cruz, Audre Lorde, James Baldwin, Maya Angelou, Reggie Jackson, and Sonia Sotomayor.
See the artwork
October 30, 2018

Reopened 86th Street B,C station boasts new murals inspired by Central Park and Beaux-Arts architecture

The 86th Street B, C station reopened last week after five months of renovations and upgrades. The improved Central Park West station now features six colorful mosaic and ceramic murals translated from artist Joyce Kozloff's "Parkside Portals" artwork, which depicts different perspectives of the neighborhood. The art shifts from aerial views of Central Park to close-ups of Beaux-Arts and Art Deco elements found on the iconic facades of surrounding buildings.
See the murals
October 5, 2018

72nd Street B, C station outside the Dakota reopens with mosaics by Yoko Ono

The MTA has reopened the 72nd Street B, C station on the Upper West Side after five months of extensive upgrades. In addition to the new digital signs and energy-efficient lighting, the station now features a ceramic mosaic designed by Yoko Ono. Titled "SKY," the design includes six separate mosaics on platforms and mezzanines that show a blue sky with clouds, with hidden messages of hope written throughout. Yoko has lived in the Dakota, the famed co-op building above the subway station, since 1973. Strawberry Fields, the memorial dedicated to her late husband John Lennon in 1985, is located across the street.
See the mosaics
February 9, 2016

Student Project Gets Subway Riders to Scratch and Sniff

"If You Smell Something, Smell Something Else." Those words introduce a handful of signs that have been popping up at a few subway stations around the city, including Canal Street, Herald Square and Union Square. And most people, quite frankly, would rather do just that, if they had a choice...and now they do. School of Visual Arts graphic design student Angela Kim was acutely aware of this fact, and she decided to add a few more to the collection.
What's that smell?
October 6, 2014

Daily Link Fix: Beaux-Arts Subway Tile Round Up; Work on Your Six Pack with a Balancing Chair

A little flattery never hurt anyone…artist Leah Harper is installing a compliment-giving toy dispenser under the High Line. DNAinfo has the scoop. Untapped Cities shares some of its favorite Arts and Crafts/Beaux Arts-style ceramics in NYC subway stations. Dan Marker Moore’s urban time-lapse photography is pretty amazing. Head over to Fubiz to check it out. You […]