It's everything one could imagine about the 90 decorated metro stations in Stockholm.
The Stockholm metro system is called “The World’s Longest Art Gallery”, stretching 110km with the spectacular contributions of more than 150 artists. Indeed, this name is completely worthy of what this subway system receives from the dedicated labor of artists.
Many of Stockholm's metros are modern and artistic. Some even feature art and architecture from decades past. This was the original campaign of two artists, Vera Nilsson and Siri Derkert, who wanted to bring art to the Stockholm metro. It was planned in the 1950s but they didn't start until 1957. Only one station, T-Centralen, had its exterior changed by the two artists. Today, all of Stockholm's metro stations have a new look with modern and amazing designs.
Instead of leaving the walls bare or dedicating them to cluttered advertising spaces that we see on most metro networks around the world, the Stockholm metro has chosen to beautify itself and hopefully encourage more passengers from the city to appreciate art and creative thinking.
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| These underground works of art are varied. Here we can see the surreal Vreten station with its sky cubes by artist Takashi Naraha. |
Some of the structures of the Stockholm metro look very cave-like, because they were originally built by blasting underground rocks, leaving behind mottled traces. Turning this disadvantage into an advantage in artistic creation, artists collaborated with architects to create impressive and highly artistic designs.
In the 1960s, bare stone surfaces were covered with smooth concrete. But in the 1970s, a less expensive technique was used to spray concrete directly onto the stone surface, which produced surprising visual effects.
Surreal beauty in subway stations:
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| This is the Alby station designed by artist Olle Ängkvist in 1975, called “the secret cave”. |
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| Ängkvist’s murals have been largely preserved. In Alby station, the artist created a strong contrast between the grey tiled floor and the high-tech metal grid system on the ceiling. From the beginning, the grid was also installed on the natural stone of the subway walls, leaving the existing underground world undisturbed. |
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| The name of this station is Nackrosen, which means “water lily.” Artist Lizzie Olsson Arle turned to aquatic plants, an inspiration that came from when she decorated the station in 1975. This particular mural was displayed on the vaulted ceiling between the two subway platforms. Nackrosen also has a breath of famous Swedish film studios, as Olsson Arle herself brought decorative materials from the film industry to the design of Nackrosen station. |
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| This is another view of Nackrosen station, white pebbles are sprinkled on the walls, below the pedestal are lilies and some other shapes are carved additionally. With its harmonious beauty, the station also brings a sense of tranquility to passengers after a stressful working day. |
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| Duvbo is also a metro station designed in 1985. The artist Gosta Sillén worked closely with the architect and engineer. The whole design is reminiscent of a rock face covered with strange fossils. |
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| At T-Centralen station, one can see the beautiful blue and white pattern on the blue lines. This was the first station to be renovated and modernized in the 50s, but artist Per Olof Ultvedt redesigned the area in 1975. |
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| The interior design at Rådhuset station is kept simple, using earth tones and architecture that resembles an ancient underground palace or temple. In fact, the station is built to look like a historical site, with artifacts such as leather bags and baskets, as well as stone pillars. Artist Sigvard Olsson created Rådhuset station in 1975. It is the fourth deepest station in Stockholm at 20.5 m. |
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| The art at Stadion station is a favourite with children, thanks to the giant rainbow image created by artists Enno Hallek and Åke Pallarp in 1937. No matter how gloomy the sky outside, this underground world is always bright. |
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| Kungsträdgården means “God’s garden”. The station has a rugged and thorny rock wall on both sides that resembles the exterior of a mountain. Kungsträdgården Station is 34m deep. Artist Ulrik Samuelson wanted to transform it into a beautiful garden of decades past. The main stations were first built in 1977 and were given an artistic makeover a decade later. |
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| One of the most interesting features is at the Skarpnäck station with 17 long stone benches fixed on the steps, designed by artist Richard Nonas in 1994. In addition to the benches there are 17 other stone blocks carved on the footbridge. |
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| With its shiny steel escalators, which look like the inside of a rocky asteroid, SkogenVästra station looks like something out of a sci-fi movie. The color scheme is a stark contrast to most of Stockholm’s other stations. Designed by Sivert Lindblom in 1975, the station lacks bright colors but has a quaint charm, and it’s also the longest escalator in Western Europe (66m long and 33m high). |
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| There is no shortage of color at Centrum Morby. In particular, the dominant color is emitted from the rocks, changing depending on the angle of view. Centrum Morby was designed by artists Karin Ek and Gösta Wessel in 1978. |
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| The photo of Rinkeby station has a classic 1990s look from a sci-fi movieTotal Recall. The red walls evoke images of the red planet, and the metal equipment against the right wall adds to the beauty of Rinkeby Station. Completed in 1975, Rinkeby Station is 12.3 km long from Kungsträdgården Station. |
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| The walls and ceiling of Akalla Station are a warm ochre colour, welcoming visitors on a cold Stockholm winter day. On the left wall is a ceramic mural depicting the leisure activities of men and women. Artist Birgit Ståhl-Nyberg designed and decorated the station in 1977. |
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| Stockholm is not only full of colourful metro stations, but also has its own works of art. Two twin trains stand out against the grey surroundings at Hjulsta station. |
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| The colors and textures at Stockholm metro stations come from extensive children's drawings in Hallonbergen (Germany) - representing public space creativity. |
Wisdom Mind
