‘Talented and original’: the artist Sarah Cunningham [George Darrell courtesy of Lisson Gallery]

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A GALLERY paid tribute to a talented painter found dead this week on the London Underground as campaigners demanded safety changes on the tube network.

The Lisson Gallery, Lisson Grove, paid tribute to Sarah Cunningham describing her as an “indomitable character”. The internationally renowned artist was 31 years old.

Her death has triggered calls for better safety, including AI technology, screens and platform guards. But transport chiefs say cost is the reason nothing is being done.

The gallery said: “Sarah was an incredibly talented, intelligent and original artist who we all called a friend.

“Her paintings are authentic, intuitive and pure, with the raw power to immediately foster connections with others, qualities reflected in Sarah’s own indomitable character.”

The gallery released photos of her painting at the gallery.

Flowers were laid at Chalk Farm tube station with Ms Cunningham’s friends describing her as a “force of nature”.

Sarah Cunningham at work [George Darrell courtesy of Lisson Gallery]

The Extra understands from sources close to the investigation that the artist was seen on CCTV possibly walking into the tunnel southbound towards Camden Town after missing a train.

One potential line of the investigation is that she may have become disoriented and fallen in the tunnel before being hit by an oncoming train.

Her death comes at a time when campaigners are calling for better safety measures to be put in place on the tube network to protect passengers from injuring themselves on the tracks.

Jo Dennis, an artist and close friend who met Ms Cunningham at the Royal College of Art while they were both doing masters degrees there told the Extra: “She was sweet and generous, funny and kind. She is known for her paintings but she also wrote a lot of gorgeous poems.

“She was so bright. I’m so glad of the time I got to spend in her excellent company, many a time at the pub talking about life and art.”

Fran Copeman, another close friend, added: “She was a force of nature who cared deeply and was a really attentive friend who gave her time to you. She wasn’t one for small talk. You can see it all in her work. She was completely dedicated to it.”

Flowers placed outside Chalk Farm tube station

Ms Cunningham, who was born in Nottingham, had a degree from Loughborough University and the masters degree from the Royal College in 2022, where she won the Ali H Alkazzi Scholarship Award.

Her work had been exhibited all over the world, in New York, Los Angeles, Berlin, Vancouver and she had recently returned to London from an exhibition in Seoul.

The Lisson Gallery, where Ms Cunningham had seen her work displayed for her first solo exhibition in London, said: “Our thoughts and prayers are with Sarah’s family, friends and loved ones. We ask that everyone respect their privacy and allow them to mourn and celebrate her life, which she left behind far too soon.”

The Metropolitan Police Service said the death was being treated as unexpected but not suspicious.

Transport for London said: “Our thoughts re­main with the family and friends of the person who died at Chalk Farm Underground station on November 4.

“The safety of our customers is our top priority and we continue to assist the police with their investigation.”

An inquest at St Pancras Coroner’s Court is expected.