Since the Olympics in 2012 Newham has seen an increase in visitors flocking to see new attractions like the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, Westfield Shopping Centre and the London Stadium.

However, few people would have predicted that Canning Town tube station would be on their bucket list, but tourists and commuters alike have been keeping their eyes open for the incredible art drawn by Transport for London (TfL) staff member Anthony Jannece.

Anthony, who hadn’t drawn since primary school, put colouring pens to white boards as a way to focus his mind during the quieter periods of his shift and to make people smile. Each drawing could take up to five shifts to complete, depending on the complexity of the image.

The art has definitely lifted the aesthetics of the station, and has also been therapeutic for Anthony, who lives with obsessive compulsive disorder. Anthony said:

“It is good to know I’m positively affecting others. It’s nice to find a skill I never knew about.”

In the last four years, commuters on the underground have grown accustomed to seeing positive messages written on information whiteboards by TfL workers. The trend was started in 2017 by staff just one stop from Canning Town, at North Greenwich station.

Anthony started with positive messages but then went on to develop his drawing skills. Over the years Anthony has tried different styles, including Disney characters, but it’s the anime that people are really drawn to, especially during Comic-Con weekends.

Commuters often stop to take selfies for their social media accounts, Anthony also posts on his Instagram page where he reaches an even wider audience. A growing number of tourists are visiting Canning Town station to view Anthony’s art in person, after having first seen his work online. Anthony has received support from his co-workers and TfL.

Canning Town may already be on the tube map but now for some, the station art is the destination.

Tourists and commuters have been keeping their eyes open for the incredible art drawn by Transport for London (TfL) staff member Anthony Jannece.

No news is bad news

Independent news outlets like ours – reporting for the community without rich backers – are under threat of closure, turning British towns into news deserts.

The audiences they serve know less, understand less, and can do less.

If our coverage has helped you understand our community a little bit better, please consider supporting us with a monthly, yearly or one-off donation.

Choose the news. Don’t lose the news.

Monthly direct debit

Annual direct debit

£5 per month supporters get a digital copy of each month’s paper before anyone else, £10 per month supporters get a digital copy of each month’s paper before anyone else and a print copy posted to them each month. £50 annual supporters get a digital copy of each month's paper before anyone else.