NYC Subway Recorder Working to Preserve Part of New York’s History

Jason Perry
By Jason Perry
September 5, 2022New York
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Philip Ashforth Coppola is a man on a mission. The artist and archivist has made it his duty to document New York City’s subway stations.

He was given the title of “Subway Recorder” by a filmmaker making a documentary of Coppola’s life work called ‘One Track Mind.’

When recording each station, Coppola draws out the designs by hand. He then researches the artists behind the work and documents the origins of the design. He publishes his findings and artwork in books and manuscripts.

Coppola says he’s finished over 100 stations. There are only 350 more to go.