Dame Tracey Emin is lending her voice to London Underground announcements this week, urging passengers to offer their seats to those in greater need. The initiative marks Transport for London's (TfL) annual Priority Seating Week, which aims to raise awareness of non-visible disabilities.
Personal Experience Drives Campaign
The 62-year-old artist, who was diagnosed with bladder cancer in 2020, underwent life-saving surgery resulting in a urostomy and now lives with a stoma bag. Drawing from her own experiences, she emphasizes the impact of health conditions on daily activities like standing on a train.
"Through my own experiences of cancer, which led me to having a stoma, I know just how much of an impact a health condition or disability can have on something like standing on a train," Dame Tracey said. "Any one of us can have a health condition or disability, and because many of these don't have outward cues, that might mean people miss out on things that would really help them, like getting a seat on public transport."
She added: "If you're out and about in London, please do offer your seat if you don't need it yourself – you never know what a difference you could make."
Announcements at Key Stations
The recorded message, echoing TfL's reminder that not all health conditions are visible, will be played at 10 central London Underground stations, including Bank, Canary Wharf, and Liverpool Street, as well as at several bus stations, until May 17.
Giovanni Cinque, campaigns manager at Colostomy UK, noted that difficulties on public transport are not always visible but can be "distressing," and "a small act of kindness like offering a seat can have a significant impact."
Eighth Year of Priority Seating Week
TfL's Priority Seating Week, now in its eighth year, includes events across the network and the introduction of stickers on DLR train doors to highlight accessibility bays. Staff at Ealing Broadway, Ilford, Paddington, Romford, and Woolwich Elizabeth Line stations will distribute "Please Offer Me A Seat," "Baby on Board," and "Babies on Board" badges to customers who need them.
Emma Strain, TfL's customer director, said Londoners can "always be more mindful" of people with disabilities when they travel. "Disabilities and health conditions can affect anyone and vary from person to person, impacting people in ways we might not expect – and in many cases you simply can't tell someone has one just from their appearance," she said.
Exhibition at Tate Modern
Dame Tracey is currently exhibiting her largest ever collection of her work at the Tate Modern. The exhibition, titled "A Second Life," looks back at her 40-year career, including defining works like the controversial 1998 installation "My Bed," along with pieces that have never been exhibited publicly before.
