September 2, 2023

Underground Images: A History at SVA Chelsea Gallery, August 29 – October 14, 2023

“School of Visual Arts (SVA) presents ‘Underground Images: A History,’ a new exhibition of more than 200 posters from the College’s iconic Subway Posters collection, which have covered the walls of NYC transit stations for almost 75 years. In addition to the posters, the exhibition includes multimedia installations, progress sketches and paintings, a recreated NYC subway platform, and more. Presented by SVA Galleries in partnership with the SVA Archives, it is on view Tuesday, August 29, through Saturday, October 14, 2023, at the SVA Chelsea Gallery, 601 W 26th St., 15th floor, New York City.

Not long after its inception in 1947 as the Cartoonists & Illustrators School, SVA began commissioning these posters from some of its most esteemed faculty members as creative marketing for the College, then took them to the walls lining the NYC subway platforms. These advertising posters were both thought-provoking and eye-catching and have become an essential part of the fabric of the city’s transit system. Since 2006, the traveling iteration of ‘Underground Images’ has exhibited globally, including in Czech Republic, India, Jamaica, Ireland, Turkey, Argentina, Uruguay, Brazil, Italy, Serbia and many other countries and US cities.” — SVA

1949: Rough to Finish, Cartoonists & Illustrators School.
1958: Without Education, It Isn’t Possible For… Jack Wolfgang Beck (designer).
Installation view of “Underground Images: A History” at SVA Chelsea Gallery. Photo: Adam Cable, SVA Galleries.
1968: At 35, Paul Gauguin Worked In a Bank. It… Gene Case (art director and copywriter), Silas H. Rhodes (art director)
1974: Having a Talent Isn’t Worth Much Unless…, Marshall Arisman (illustrator), Richard Wilde (designer), Dee Ito (copywriter), Silas H. Rhodes (art director).
1978: To Be Good Is Not Enough When You Dream…, Paul Davis (illustrator and designer), Dee Ito (copywriter), Silas H. Rhodes (art director).
Installation view of “Underground Images: A History” at SVA Chelsea Gallery. Photo: Adam Cable, SVA Galleries.
1982: To Be Good Is Not Enough, When You Dream…, Marvin Mattelson (illustrator), William Kobasz (designer), Dee Ito (copywriter), Silas H. Rhodes (art director).
1987: To Be Good Is Not Enough When You Dream…, Paula Scher (designer), Silas H. Rhodes (art director).
Installation view of “Underground Images: A History” at SVA Chelsea Gallery. Photo: Adam Cable, SVA Galleries.
2001: I Love NY More Than Ever, Milton Glaser (designer), Silas H. Rhodes (creative director).
Installation view of “Underground Images: A History” at SVA Chelsea Gallery. Photo: Adam Cable, SVA Galleries.
2023: Think About Art…, Carol Fabricatore (illustrator), Dee Ito (copywriter), Anthony P. Rhodes (executive creative director), Gail Anderson (creative director), Brian E. Smith (art director).

“Since the earliest days of the College, the subway posters have done more than just generate interest in SVA. They’ve stirred the imaginations of New Yorkers and the countless aspiring and practicing artists who visit the city each year,” said SVA President David Rhodes. “Exhibiting them all over the world has been an adventure, but we are thrilled to present this collection and its fascinating history in the place where it all began.”

Title image: Installation view of “Underground Images: A History” at SVA Chelsea Gallery. Photo: Adam Cable, SVA Galleries.

Images courtesy School of Visual Arts.