THERE are some things you might expect to see on a trip to the North East coast – gulls, boats, fish and chip shops maybe. It is likely totem poles would not figure on your list.

But Tynemouth Station has thrown up many surprises since the bridge between the platforms started to be used as an unusual but highly- effective walk-past exhibition space.

People who regularly use the station will be used to the efforts of artists to delay them on their journey across the lines but newcomers are likely to do a classic double take.

Metro Totems is the latest installation in the Bridge and it has been drawing curious and admiring glances since it was officially unveiled.

The artists of Sunderland-based arts group ASSIGN were given a pretty open brief.

Ylana First, arts co-ordinator for Tynemouth Station, says that while the word totem is of North American origin and is generally recognised as representing a group or clan, it could also be argued that a totem could symbolise an individual.

She said before the artists set to work: “How each artist will interpret the meaning of Metro Totems is up to them.

“In some cases, it may be very personal, based on their own life experiences, while in other cases it may be in response to the Metro and/or travel or the urban environment.

“Some may be based on fantasy, others down to earth. Who knows?”

Well, now we do know because the Metro totems are there for all to see in an installation supported by North Tyneside Council as part of its cultural and community engagement programme running alongside the refurbishment of the station.

The artists who contributed are Decia Morris, who you see here and who specialises in drawings, Alex Surtees, Angela Rogerson, Bill Harris, Catherine Duncan, Richard Rainer, Pat Thirtle, Tony Redman, Fred Fowler and Frank Styles.

While each of them has his or her own distinct style, they were all allowed the same basic materials for their totem, including three large boxes.

For more about all the artists who worked on the display, you could visit the ASSIGN website AT www.assign-art.co.uk

The Metro Totems will be sending their silent and enigmatic signals from the Bridge at Tynemouth Station until August.