COMMUTERS were shocked to find Charing Cross station had been given a pop art makeover and renamed “Haring Cross”
The stunk took place to mark the launch of the Absolut Haring Artist-Edition bottle – which is available for a limited time only.
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The social activist, who passed away in 1990, rose to prominence in the 1980s thanks in part to thousands of drawings he did on the walls of the New York subway.
The artist’s connection to the vodka brand dates back nearly 40 years when Andy Warhol encouraged him to reinterpret its iconic bottle in his own inimitable style.
Spokesperson for the spirit maker, Deb Dasgupta, said: “We have long believed that art should always be open, joyful and for everyone.
“Keith Haring’s work radiated that belief – full of energy, colour and hope.
“With Absolut Haring, we’re inviting a new generation to celebrate that spirit in a public space – in an underground station that reflects and connects to the subways that inspired Haring more than forty years ago.”
Advertising space across the station and escalator walls featured the artist’s distinctive dancing figures and were used to showcase the Haring-inspired artwork last week.
The walls featured a red and yellow colour scheme echoing the vibrant palette of many of Haring’s most iconic works which are famed for its bold lines, vivid colours, cartoon-like figures, and blending of street art and pop art techniques.
In keeping with the pioneer’s belief “art is for everybody,” there was also a limited number of free posters available depicting his 1986 reinterpretation of the vodka brand’s bottle, which visitors could rip off right from the station wall.
Emma Strain, customer director at Transport for London (TfL), added: “The London Underground has a long-standing connection to the art world.
“We’re delighted to work with Absolut to host Keith Haring’s art at Charing Cross Tube station.
“Activations like this provide our customers with a new way to experience art in London.”
This comes just ten days after the end of the London Tube strikes which caused major disruption across the city.
The action was coordinated in phases, with different groups of staff walking out on successive days between Friday, September 5, 2025, lasted until Friday, September 12 2025.
Londoners faced almost a full week without a reliable Tube service.
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The UK’s busiest train station is set to receive a stunning multimillion-pound revamp – which will include a grand terminal and outside gardens.
Groundbreaking plans for Liverpool Street’s new upgrade will make the station future-proofed and ready to accommodate over 200 million people for the decades ahead, according to Network Rail.
Chief Executive of Network Rail, Sir Andrew Haines, said: “The station proposed in this application is absolutely what London needs.
“An accessible, inclusive, world-class multi-modal transport gateway to the heart of London – designed to serve the City, all Londoners, and everyone who travels through it.”
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