LONDON.- Over 60 original artworks went on display as part of a new retrospective exhibition at London Transport Museum. The art of the poster – a century of design opened on October 16 and celebrates a century of outstanding poster design for the Capital’s public transport network.

Featuring leading artists of their day and many previously unseen artworks, The art of the poster explores how the first graphic poster commission for London Underground in 1908 led to the company becoming a pioneering patron of poster art - a legacy that continues today.

Exploring the relationship between fine artists, graphic designers and the commissioning process, the exhibition reveals fascinating stories behind some of the works on display. Discover why the painting by world renowned artist John Nash was never published, find out why a controversial poster by Edward Wadsworth was withdrawn in the 1930s and how John Bellany’s misunderstood Chinatown has been reinterpreted by today’s Chinese community.

The multimedia exhibition is interpreted through film, touch screen interactives and original quotes from the artists themselves and is complemented by a new display of 20 historic posters printed from the artworks on display.

The exhibition is accompanied by lively talks and events programme and a new book, London Transport Posters – a century of art and design, which contains more than 250 colour illustrations and retails at £30.00. The book places posters within the wider context of design, fashion, 20th century advertising, printmaking, two world wars and suburban development from a range of perspectives.