![Sarah Cunningham [George Darrell, courtesy of Lisson Gallery]](https://artlyst.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/sarah-Cunningham-Lisson.jpg)
The death of artist Sarah Cunningham, whose work was championed by London’s Lisson Gallery, has been ruled accidental by a coroner. The 31-year-old was struck by a Northern Line train after stepping onto the tracks at Chalk Farm station in the early hours of November 2 last year.
Friends and family remembered Cunningham as a vibrant, creative force full of optimism about her career. She had been socialising in Camden that evening, with witnesses describing her as tipsy but not drunk.
Her father, Edward Cunningham, painted a portrait of a woman alive with energy and empathy—”bubbly, sharp, kind, and endlessly perceptive.” He spoke of her deep connection to the natural world, how she “saw beauty where others might not,” and emphasised that she had no history of suicidal intent. Though she had struggled in her early teens following a painful breakup—resulting in two self-harm incidents he described as “cries for help”—she had long since moved beyond that darkness.
Forensic analysis revealed traces of cocaine and ketamine in her system, though precise levels could not be determined.
Transport for London (TfL) confirmed an internal review had taken place, with Dale Smith assuring the court that any coronial recommendations would be implemented. Staff had noted Cunningham’s presence on the platform but, seeing no cause for concern and assuming she had boarded a departing train, did not intervene. Instead, she had entered the tunnel, where she was later struck. Her body was discovered nearly 75 metres along the track two days later.
In a heartfelt tribute, her family called her a “brilliant daughter and sister,” cherished by countless lives. TfL expressed profound sorrow over the tragedy, extending condolences to her loved ones.
Cunningham’s artistic legacy remains radiant. Represented by Lisson Gallery—a powerhouse for emerging and mid-career talent—her work drew from organic forms and ethereal landscapes, earning her acclaim as a ‘rising star’. Her distinctive approach likened to “wild swimming” in its immersive, intuitive flow, set her apart. Nocturnal painting sessions, literary and cinematic influences, and a fascination with dreamscapes shaped her practice, culminating in pieces that pulsed with light and texture.
A graduate of the Royal College of Art and recipient of the Ali H. Alkazzi Scholarship Award, Cunningham had also undertaken a formative residency in Panama, collaborating with the Kuna community. Her ties to Camden and Wandsworth and her involvement in campaigns like Reclaim Our Streets underscored her commitment to art and community.
Photo: Sarah Cunningham George Darrell, courtesy of Lisson Gallery