Hasta La Ideas

Fans of classic London Underground maps and posters are in for a treat this summer, as the London Transport Museum hosts an exhibition exploring over 100 years of historical materials and artworks created for the Underground…

Mind The Map will include classic works by artists such as Harold McCready, Frederick Charles Herrick (poster by Herrick from 1924, shown above) and Lewitt-Him, as well as pieces by contemporary artists including Simon Patterson and David Shrigley. Below are some of the treats that will be on show:

London’s Tramways to Central London, Harold McCready, 1930

Be Map Conscious, Lewitt-Him, 1945

Design for Playgoers, O’Keefe, 1935

There will also be a number of special pocket maps created for the LU on display, including a World Cup edition from 1966.

Pocket Underground map (World Cup edition), 1966

Pocket Underground map from 1912

Pocket Underground map from 2005, cover by David Shrigley

Mind The Map will explore the history of the maps, and how the iconic design of the London Tube map has influenced cartography, art and the public imagination. The show will open this Friday (May 18) and run until October 28. It will be accompanied by an events programme and a book, London Underground Maps: Inspiring Art, Design and Cartography, published by Lund Humphries.

More info at ltmuseum.co.uk.