Jon Elliott, The Daily Rhythms of Burgeoning Futures, 2019, hand cut and hand glazed stoneware, PS 398, Queens

The Daily Rhythms of Burgeoning Futures is a handmade tile mural by artist Jon Elliott that graces the entrance to PS 398 Queens. Sited on the right and left wings of the exterior façade, the artwork is designed to be viewed up close and from a distance, taking advantage of all the different perspectives its street front location provides. The individual panels are 15’ long x 4’ high. They are comprised of individual, ceramic forms shaped by the artist and then hand-glazed. The result is a magnificent array of uniquely colored glazes within a rich, creamy white field. The left panel accents yellows and greens, the right blues and reds.
 
Inspiration for the mural came from the school’s geographical location on 34^th Avenue, the nearby BQE and its proximity to the 7 subway line. The swirling patterns represent Elliott’s vision of the chaotic, yet ordered pathways of students and parents along the sidewalks for morning drop offs and afternoon pick ups. The colored waves pop to the foreground when looking at the piece from afar while surprises await those who approach closer. Figurative elements reveal themselves within the white field that reflect movements and activities related to the school, as well as the neighborhood at large. There are children running, a person walking a dog, a bicyclist, a 7 train, an airplane and other local reflections. Whether on foot or by car, The Daily Rhythms of Burgeoning Futures offers a special visual discovery for all those who pass by.