The Facts
On September 18, 2026, Gagosian announced that Ellen Gallagher has been selected as the cover artist for the 42nd edition of the London Underground pocket Tube map. Her painting "Fast-Fish and Loose-Fish" (2025) draws on colonial geographies, marine mythology, and inspiration from London's waterways, including the buried River Fleet and its many ancient wells. The project is presented by Art on the Underground, a program that commissions artists to enhance the journeys of millions of passengers across the city each day.
The Signal
This commission places a major contemporary artwork into the hands of daily commuters and tourists, extending Gallagher's engagement with hidden histories into a highly visible public format. The choice of a waterway-themed image for an underground transit map subtly inverts the system's subterranean environment, a conceptual move typical of the artist's layered practice. For collectors, the selection signals sustained institutional interest and broad public reach, reinforcing Gallagher's standing as a key voice in contemporary painting.
- Artists: Ellen Gallagher
- People: Ellen Gallagher
- Galleries: Gagosian
- Locations: London
The Morning Signal · Daily
Get stories like this in your inbox
The art world in one daily email — auctions, openings, and acquisitions from 90+ primary sources, distilled into a five-minute read. Independent — no marketplace, no gallery ads.
Join collectors, dealers & curators
No spam · free every morning · unsubscribe anytime
The Jobs Digest · Weekly
New art-world jobs, every Monday
The Jobs Digest rounds up the week’s new museum, gallery, and auction-house openings — with salary when disclosed. One email a week, unsubscribe anytime.
