Here’s the English version of the exhibition introduction:
In 2013, to mark the 150th anniversary of the London Underground, British artist Mark Wallinger created 270 unique labyrinth designs, permanently installed at every station across the Tube network. These black-and-white circular motifs are screen-printed onto enamel panels and kiln-fired using the same manufacturing process as the London Underground roundel. A red “X” at the bottom edge—the universal “You Are Here” symbol—invites viewers to trace the path with their fingers.
The work draws inspiration from the classical Cretan labyrinth—a single, winding path that leads to the center and back out again. Wallinger uses this ancient form as a metaphor for daily commuting: beneath the surface chaos of rush hour lies the quiet order of countless individuals, each following their own thread home. The medieval pilgrimage labyrinth at Chartres Cathedral adds a spiritual dimension—the Underground becomes not just a means of physical transport, but a witness to our daily inner journeys.
In 2023, with the opening of new stations on the Northern Line, Wallinger created two new labyrinths for Nine Elms and Battersea Power Station, adding a new chapter to this ever-evolving public art project.
“This suite of labyrinths is a spiritual map of the mental pilgrimage that millions of Londoners make every day.”
— Mark Wallinger
