7 Breathtaking Mosaics in New York City Subway Stations

The 86th Street subway station in Manhattan is where you will find ten large-scale mosaics and two tile works by renowned artist Chuck Close. His detailed portraits impressively capture the diversity of subway riders and illustrate an intimate look at frequent subjects of Close. In keeping with Close’s custom, two of the panels depict self-portraits. Riders are sure to get an up-close look at the faces that make up New York City and appreciate the unique elements of art portrayed.

It is worth taking some time to explore 23rd Street on the F Line to see William Wegman’s mosaic pieces entitled Stationary Figures. Comprised of 11 mosaic murals, Wegman’s use of his two Weimaraner dogs—posing as humans—is sure to catch the eyes of commuters. Wegman’s intention in his art pieces was to dress the dogs to resemble commuters, the very people who will see the art every day!

Be part of art in an interesting and fun interaction with Vik Muniz’s glass mosaic entitled Perfect Stranger ! Located at 72nd Street Station of the Second Avenue Subway, “Perfect Strangers” brings humor, color, and visual interest to the daily commute of New Yorkers and visitors. With three dozen life-size portraits, Muniz depicts the vibrance and diversity of New Yorkers in everyday life. These unique portraits include people waiting for the train, parents caring for their children, a man in a tiger costume, and even a popsicle-holding police officer. Visitors can join in on the fun with these life-size mosaics and see more of Muniz’s work in the Met Museum of Art.

The 63rd Street station features Jean Shin’s glass and ceramic mosaic, Elevated. This exhibition includes images selected from archival photographs from the New York Historical Society and the New York Transit Museum illustrating the deconstruction of the Second Avenue elevated train line in the 1940s. Each station level depicts a unique focal point of this historical event and uses different materials and colors.

Andrea Deszo’s Community Garden is a glass mosaic at Bedford Park Boulevard-Lehman College Station in the Bronx. Recognized as “Best American Public Art” in 2007 by Americans for the Arts, this colorful mosaic depicts a thriving garden with insects, animals, and oversized fruit. The vibrant colors and playful imagery of Dezso’s Community Garden delight and inspire commuters as they travel through the train station.

Japanese-American artist, Yoko Ono, wants to share messages of hope to riders with her immaculate mosaics titled SKY. Created to commemorate the reopening of the 72nd Street subway station, Ono’s six-piece mosaic measures 973 square feet and depicts blue skies filled with clouds and messages of hope. Phrases such as “Imagine Peace” and “Remember Love” encourage viewers to keep their heads in the clouds as they go through their day.

Radiant gold and dazzling blue cover the walls of Bedford Avenue Station with Marcel Dzama’s No Less Than Everything Comes Together mosaics. Developed using glass materials, Dzama’s depictions of figures highlight the everyday heroes and people of New York. Marcel Dzama stated, “In these works, it is my intention to bring the sun, the sky, and the moon to the underground. What I love most about New York is its people, and for me, it was important to represent them and all of their wonderful complexities and diverse beauty in the piece… In the subway, it’s always a togetherness that bonds us uniquely like no other place in the world.”