There’s no city like London, where art and culture thrive in every corner, constantly offering inspiration. One of the aspects we love most is the abundance of public art scattered throughout the city. Even the underground becomes a canvas for creativity, showcasing vibrant works from both renowned and emerging artists, turning the daily commute into an artistic journey. Among these, Tottenham Court Road station stands out, featuring the stunning mosaic installation by one of Britain’s most influential pop artists, Sir Eduardo Paolozzi (1924–2005).
Completed in 1986, Paolozzi’s mosaics cover an impressive 950 square meters, brightening the platforms of the Northern and Central lines, as well as the connecting passageways. His work, rich in colour and geometric forms, reflects both the local environment and broader themes such as mechanisation, urbanisation, popular culture, and everyday life. During a major station renovation, Paolozzi’s mosaics underwent a careful and extensive restoration. Remarkably, 95 percent of the original mosaics were preserved, despite the significant expansion of the station to accommodate the new Elizabeth line.
Restoration efforts focused on key areas, including the Northern and Central line platforms and the iconic Rotunda. One of the most challenging tasks involved relocating a prominent mosaic panel from the former Oxford Street entrance. With meticulous planning and guidance from conservation experts, the panel was safely removed and reinstalled at platform level. Meanwhile, sections of the mosaic arches that couldn’t be relocated within the station were sent to the Edinburgh College of Art—where Paolozzi had both studied and later served as a visiting professor. These pieces are now used in a new undergraduate program, Edinburgh Collections, with plans to eventually reassemble them into a new public art installation.
Next time you find yourself in central London, be sure to stop by Tottenham Court Road station and admire the work of this remarkable artist, whose bold, vibrant approach helped define Britain’s pop art movement.