The 86th Street Station
Chuck Close

“Subway Portraits”

Close’s painting techniques have been interpreted in ten works as mosaic, and in two as ceramic tile. The artworks measure close to nine feet high and are placed on the walls at the station entrances and the mezzanine concourse.

Self portrait of Chuck Close in intricate mosaic

Detail of the fine mosaic work in Chuck’s mouth and mustache

In 2012 the MTA had a real coup in convincing the renowned painter and photographer, Chuck Close to create 12 (approx. 9′ high) portraits. Several of the intricate mosaics are a gathering of New York artists who are important parts of Chuck’s circle of friends.

A young Philip Glass faces the escalator down to the 86th St. Station greeting descending riders.

The artist Kara Walker “is an African American contemporary painter, silhouettist, printmaker, installation artist and film-maker who explores race, gender, sexuality, violence and identity in her work.” – Wikipedia. We’ve admired her work in quite a few important shows.

Lou Reed doesn’t exactly bring light and joy into the concourse…

…but the detailed tile work is quite amazing.

Cindy Sherman, pretty much as herself wishes you an unusually happy day as you head off for work. Cindy is famous of course for her poignant, socially critical photography.

Besides his friends and well-known artists, Close also portrays subjects as a collective portrait of a proudly polyglot city and subway ridership. “The richness of the city is all the various cultures coming together,” Mr. Close said while conceiving the suite of portraits, “and the richness of my art will be to simultaneously let people in on how many ways there are to build an image.”