The Great Bear re-envisages the classic London Underground map, replacing the names of stations with the names of celebrities and cultural figures. Born in 1967, Simon Patterson made his debut on the British art scene with Name Paintings, white canvases bearing the name of famous people printed in black type, which were displayed at Damien Hirst's 1988 group show Freeze. Typography remained a central part of Patterson's artistic practice throughout his career. His works emphasise language as a medium for identification and classification. Referencing maps, the periodic table and electric circuits, Patterson continues to investigate and reconstruct the systems that we use to interpret information. The Great Bear references the astrological constellation Ursa Major, and hints at the connection between different cultures and points in history.

Lithograph in colours, signed, dated, numbered in pencil 34 from the edition of 50 (there were also fifteen artist's proofs), printed by London Underground printers, published by the artist and Milch Gallery, London, in the integral London Regional Transport aluminium frame, framed 108 x 133.5 x 6 cm. (42½ x 52½ in.)