Passengers on the Tyne and Wear Metro will have more to look at than their phone screens when the new fleet enters circulation next year.
Four major new artworks have been commissioned for the insides of the new trains. The floor-to-ceiling works will be displayed inside the 46 new trains in the fleet and will be viewed by an estimated 35 million passengers a year when the trains enter circulation next year, making them some of the most viewed and well-known contemporary art in Britain.
The pieces were unveiled today at a pop-up exhibition in Newcastle, and they will remain at the NCA Gallery in High Bridge, Newcastle until Saturday 15 October, after which they will be removed from public view until their grand unveiling on their maiden voyage.
The artworks represent contrasting perspectives on the communities connected by the Metro, and locations in and around Newcastle and Sunderland. Filling the internal end walls of each carriage, the four pieces are:
Nexus, the public body which owns Metro, commissioned the four artists in collaboration with train manufacturer Stadler and with funding from Arts Council England through its National Lottery Project Grants programme.
Huw Lewis, customer services Director for Nexus, said: “Bryony, Sofia, Hazel and Sara tell four very different stories about modern North East England, but between them have created art which will inspire, intrigue and entertain millions of Metro customers for years to come.
“We held an international competition, challenging artists to create original large scale works capturing what it means to live in our region today. I could not be more excited to be sharing the finished works as we count down to the introduction of our new trains.
“Our customers have helped shape the design of Metro’s new fleet down to the smallest detail and one thing people asked for was art and imagery to be incorporated into the final carriages.
“Nexus has a long tradition in commissioning public and community art across our stations, but this is the first time in Metro’s 42-year history we have commissioned major works onto trains, and we believe it is the first project of its kind in the world.”
Jane Tarr, director North, Arts Council England said “I’m delighted that we have supported Nexus through our National Lottery Project Grants programme for this project.
“And it’s great that there is an opportunity for people to see the artworks ahead of their installation on the Metro’s new trains. I hope that the artists’ work will spark conversations on and off the Metro about what it means to live in the North East and I look forward to seeing all four artworks myself.”
