London based artist Joe Namy introduces new community led audio artwork

New sound artwork by London-based artist Joe Namy launches today at Waterloo Underground station. Spoken word from three London community organisations is layered with music in a 10-minute soundscape that can also be heard across the rest of the London Underground through a QR code. Namy worked on the project with the Mayor of London’s Culture and Community Spaces at Risk programme, which works to protect community and cultural spaces across the capital. Transport for London’s (TfL’s) Art on the Underground programme is pleased to present a new sound artwork by London-based artist Joe Namy. The work has been developed following collaboration and community engagement with three organisations supported by the Mayor of London’s Culture and Community Spaces at Risk programme.

Joe Namy works across sound, performance, radio and video. His new project, ‘Radio Underground’, involves creatives from different cultural and community spaces in London to create a 10-minute sound work, focusing on Namy’s interest in the politics of listening, music and translation.

‘Radio Underground’ has been developed in collaboration with Colour Factory, a live music venue and nightclub in Hackney; PalMusic UK, a music education charity supporting young Palestinian musicians and celebrating Palestinian music; and Sister Midnight, a cooperative community radio station in south London. Spoken word and segments of speech from each organisation are layered with original music from flautist Wissam Boustany (PalMusic), oud player Saied Silbak (PalMusic), flautist Ruth Montgomery (Audiovisability), and theremin by Lenny Watson (Sister Midnight).

The work can be heard at Waterloo Underground station from 15-28 July, through the station speakers along the moving walkway connecting the Northern and Jubilee lines. Echoing the style of a radio broadcast, ‘Radio Underground’ brings a new sonic experience to the station, a public broadcast that calls on people to listen to each other in new ways, to new rhythms and to shared interconnections.

Joe Namy, 'Radio Underground, 2024. Waterloo Underground station, Commissioned by Art on the Underground. Photo GG Archard-2
 
The work creates a space to find solidarity, and for culture and community to express resilience and an understanding of the socio-political power music holds. ‘Radio Underground’ can also be accessed through a QR code on a poster campaign across the London Underground, with a link to imagery that gives visual rhythm to the sound and constellation of the many parts, people, places and histories that make up the work.

Eleanor Pinfield, Head of Art on the Underground, said: “We are delighted to launch the second in a series of sound commissions from Joe Namy, utilising the speakers of the moving walkway at Waterloo for the first time. ‘Radio Underground’ has been developed through dialogue and collaboration with three partners across the city, with contributions from each sonically woven together into an artwork akin to a radio broadcast. This soundscape for London calls us together in a collective space, one where we are well used to regular public announcements. Namy’s audio soundtrack asks us to become more attuned to our surroundings, to take a moment to listen and share space with the people around us.”

Joe Namy, artist, said: “This project was a dream, a deep dive into the fascinating history of the sound of the Underground, at times offering moments of peace, at other times transforming the travelator into a catwalk, and other times making space for the brilliant organisations that contributed to the project. We were able to bring in so many different voices to resonate with the unique architecture of the station.” 

Justine Simons OBE, Deputy Mayor for Culture and the Creative Industries, said: “Culture is the beating heart of London and I know Joe Namy’s ‘Radio Underground’ will entertain and inspire passengers as they travel on the Tube. I’m delighted that Art on the Underground is working closely with many grassroots arts organisations we have supported at City Hall, it’s a wonderful opportunity to have their work displayed in one of London’s busiest Tube stations, as we build a better and fairer London for all.”