Jock McFadyen with Jem Finer: Underground (and Surface)
Bold exhibition at the Guildhall Art Gallery of paintings of London by Jock McFadyen. The first room featured his paintings of the London Underground shown with a soundscape by Jem Finer, one of the founding members of The Pogues. They were very atmospheric and you could almost smell that dank smell of the stations. The soundscape really added to this. The next room showcased his large paintings of overground London. I loved this one of railways arches and one which made me smile as a homebase appeared over the horizon like a sunrise. The last room looked at his early paintings of people which I felt were less successful. I was interested to read that it was a year as Artist in Residence at the National Gallery in 1981 which changed his style and made him look to the world outside for inspiration. Closes 20 September 2026 Review Times