If you're over Barbican way this January, pop upstairs to the library for a free exhibition of tube sketches.
Over the past few years, artist Martin Church has created more than 100 paintings and mixed-media works of people going about their business — all captured on the Metropolitan line. These are now on show just inside the entrance to Barbican Library, on the second floor of the Barbican Centre.
The sketches are broad-brush impressionistic, so nobody's particularly identifiable. In a way, they're timeless captures of daily life on the tube, but in another they're very of their time. Each work uses a front page from the Evening Standard for its canvas, so words like 'Rishi", "Trump" and "Coronation" bubble through.
Although you'll find over 100 art works on display, most are variations on the same theme, so probably won't detain you for too long. That said, it's a smashing collection to view as a whole — one of those quirky exhibitions to dip into if you're passing by.
Martin Church Tube Pictures is at Barbican Library until 29 January 2024 and is free to visit.
