Stockholm's subway stations put the Tube's to shame

Over 90 of its 100 stations have been smothered in art

Wednesday 22 October 2014 11:22 EDT

Solna station, decorated in the 1970's by Anders Aberg and Karl-Olov Bjor. (Getty)

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As Londoners get excited about upcoming new Tube trains with wider doors, here's a reminder of how far ahead of us design-wise the Stockholm subway system is.

Perhaps the world's largest art exhibition, the 110 kilometre system has been turned into a vibrant, cavernous gallery by over 150 artists over the past 60 years.

Over 90 of its 100 stations have been embellished with sculptures, mosaics, paintings, installations, engravings and reliefs since the 1950s, many using organic architecture which leaves the bedrock exposed and unsculptured.

Rådhuset station looks like some kind of evil underground lair, while Kungsträdgården makes use of the remains of the old Stockholm Makalös palace and Östermalmstorg highlights women's rights and peace and environmental issues.

These images were taken in 2012, but the system continues to be supplemented with more art: