London Transport Museum is celebrating the origins of art deco, its influence on London and its transport design over the last 100 years. A new exhibition opening at the Covent Garden Museum on 21 November will explore this style’s influence in a display of original transport posters, photography, artworks, short films and ceramics that mark the centenary of the 1925 Paris exhibition, where Art Deco originated.
Over 100 original posters and artworks from design greats Edward McKnight Kauffer, Dora Batty, and Jean Dupas will go on display in the exhibition, with rarely seen posters and objects on show for the public to enjoy.
Entry to the Global Poster Gallery is included with museum admission. Adult tickets cost £25 and kids go free. Tickets to the season of events can be booked on the Museum’s website.
To accompany the exhibition, London Transport Museum is hosting a series of events that will allow visitors to experience this iconic period of design history.
Activities include:
- London Transport Museum after dark – Guests can enjoy after-hours access to the brand-new art in an adult-only environment.
- Art and design-focused Museum Depot open days – guests can go behind the scenes for the final Museum Depot open days of the year and explore a rich art and design heritage that is synonymous with London’s transport.
- October half-term family fun – families can take part in a series of fun activities celebrating this iconic decade, including arts and crafts, dance workshops and family-friendly tours.
- Art deco train rides – Guests will be able to hop on the London Transport Museum’s restored art deco style 1938 Tube train on special trips from Amersham station. Passengers will be transported back in time as they sit in a retro carriage with art deco light fittings and meet costumed character Charles Holden.
Elizabeth McKay, Director and CEO at London Transport Museum, said, “I know our visitors are going to love our art deco season – from our blockbuster exhibition exploring the golden age of poster design to delving deeper into the story of transport art and design at our Museum Depot, or getting into the swing of the 20s at our Museum Late. Frank Pick, who was publicity manager of the Underground Group from 1908 and then Chief Executive of London Transport from 1933, understood the power of good design, not only to enrich daily life but also to persuade passengers to make the most of what London had to offer, from theatre and music to shopping.”
To find out more about London Transport Museum’s season of events inspired by art deco style and the new exhibition, visit www.ltmuseum.co.uk.
