William Blake inspired mosaics unveiled at South West London railway station

Surbiton station is displaying ten ‘Blake mosaics', celebrating the work of the poet, painter and engraver William Blake.

The project has been led by Surbiton Art Trail, which obtained the funding. Network Rail, South Western Railway (SWR), Richmond and Hillcroft Adult Community College (RHACC), London School of Mosaic and Friends of Surbiton Station also helped with the project.

Earlier this week, SWR Managing Director Claire Mann, Network Rail Wessex route director Mark Killick, local MP Sir Ed Davey and representatives from RHACC and the other organisations visited the south-west London station to view the mosaics and cut a ceremonial ribbon.

The mosaics are part of a set of seventy created by Southbank Mosaics to commemorate Blake's time in Lambeth between 1790 and 1800. They were originally displayed in the underground tunnels, streets and walkways around London Waterloo station.

RHACC's Artist in Residence, Jo Lewis from London School of Mosaic, the successor to Southbank Mosaics, restored the ten mosaics in preparation for their new display on the footbridge at Surbiton station. The station celebrates forty years since achieving Grade II listed status on Friday 6 October.

The first mosaics to be displayed are based on Blake's Songs of Innocence and Experience. Blake both wrote and illustrated these poems, and published them in 1789. They are powerful pieces, which reflect Blake's political beliefs and spiritual experience, and address issues subjects such as poverty, child labour and abuse, the repressive nature of the state and church, and children's rights.

The mosaics now form part of the Surbiton Art Trail, which aims to improve the ambience of public spaces by adding interest, and to connect Surbiton's visitors to its schools and colleges.

Mark Killick, Network Rail's Wessex route director, said: “It's been a pleasure to work with the local communities who have a passion to drive improvement through the experience of customers and local residents in unique ways.

“The artwork brings a warm and welcoming feel through the Grade II listed station which welcomes hundreds of customers each day and they will certainly add a further unique characteristic to Surbiton.

“It feels even more apt that these mosaics were originally displayed in the arches near Waterloo station and have now been repurposed ensures that this special art collection keeps its connection to the railway.”

Claire Mann, South Western Railway's Managing Director said: “It's wonderful to see these amazing artworks newly sited here at Surbiton, one of SWR's beautiful Art Deco stations. We were very pleased to work with Richmond and Hillcroft College, the friends of the station and Surbiton Art Trail to make this happen”.

Gabrielle Flint, Principal of RHACC, said: “We are absolutely delighted that we've been able to bring these mosaics to Surbiton station, with the help of South Western Railway, Network Rail, the Friends of Surbiton Station and Surbiton Art Trail.

“The thing that I love most about the mosaics is that unlike most things displayed at stations, they don't contain practical information, instructions or directions. They are simply there as a visual gift”.

The Rt Hon Sir Ed Davey MP, Member of Parliament for Kingston and Surbiton, said: “Surbiton station is already one of the country's most architecturally beautiful stations and one of the area's most cherished buildings. I'm pleased to see the station enhanced yet further with the addition of these charming William Blake-inspired mosaics, which elegantly pay tribute to the iconic London artist and poet. Thank you to all those involved with finding them a fitting new home in Surbiton.”