Blazing Trails, by local artist Sofia Barton, is a striking feature on the new trains, and focuses on community leaders from the region
Local artist Sofia Barton with her work, showcased at the Baltic Centre for Contemporary Art in Gateshead(Image: Nexus)
The North East’s ‘hidden heritage’ has been celebrated in Tyne and Wear Metro artwork, which is being showcased at the Baltic Centre for Contemporary Art in Gateshead. A striking feature on the new Metro trains, Blazing Trails, by local artist Sofia Barton, focuses on community leaders from the region.
As part of the Shop2 takeover exhibition, the vibrant work, initially included in Sofia’s celebrated ‘Trailblazers’ mural, will be displayed to visitors. It was commissioned by Nexus in 2021, and the art will be permanently inside the 46 new Metro carriages, seen by thousands of customers a day.
It was part of a collaboration by the transport provider and train manufacturer Stadler, with funding from Arts Council England through its National Lottery Project Grants programme. The experience will also feature unique artworks for sale from local community and charitable organisations.
Sofia Barton said: “It’s surreal and fantastic to have my artwork from the new Metro trains on display at Baltic. When I secured that commission from Nexus in 2021 I never thought it would get to this point, where my work is on show at one of the country’s most prestigious art galleries.
“When I was asked by the team at Baltic to be part of the pop-up shop exhibition I thought it would be great to put my Blazing Trails work into that space. It’s got that connection to the hidden heritage and to the Metro, where people see this artwork on board the new trains each and every day, and I remain really proud that my work is part of everyday life on the Tyne and Wear Metro.”
The ‘Trailblazers’ project provides a vital platform for marginalised voices, including disabled and neurodiverse artists, to share their heritage and creativity, and aims to be a ‘true celebration’ of the North East’s diverse social fabric, ensuring the art is accessible to all.
Cathy Massarella, Managing Director of Nexus, said: “It’s fantastic to see Sofia Barton’s artwork from our new Metro train fleet on display at this new exhibition at Baltic. All four pieces that we commissioned for the new trains are a striking feature of them when you get on board, capturing what it means to live in North East England.
“They have become a treasured part of the new Metro trains, which have been transformative for our customers since the roll out began. Nexus has a long tradition in commissioning public art across our stations, but this project was the first time in Metro’s 46-year history that we have commissioned works on board the trains, and we hope people enjoy going to see the Metro artwork at Baltic.”
You can find out more about the Shop2 exhibition, showing Sofia Barton’s Blazing Trails at the Baltic Centre for Contemporary Art, on the website here.
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