Francesca DiMattio, Banquet, 2020, hand-glazed stoneware, PS/IS 128 Addition, Queens

Banquet is a site-specific ceramic mural created by artist Francesca DiMattio for the newly enlarged cafeteria at PS/IS 128 Queens. The mural is a collage of hand-glazed stoneware tiles inspired by ceramic and wall-covering traditions from a wide variety of cultures and spanning many centuries. Motifs referencing Portuguese tile, Turkish Iznik tile, Italian and Spanish majolica tile, Dutch Delftware, English Staffordshire industrial pottery, contemporary and traditional African mud cloth textiles, Mexican geometric black and white patterns, and European architectural ornaments are interwoven to create an undulating composition that compresses both time and space. Contemporary, flat white tiles are interspersed within the colorful patterning and images creating a distinct visual contrast. The result resembles a tapestry of images, patterns and motifs from around the world.  
 
As its title suggests, the artwork celebrates banquet festivities from a bygone era including dining, dancing and musical performances. A man and a woman hold hands to dance, cooks prepare assorted dishes for a special meal, a violist sits on a balcony playing, a woman strums a small string instrument amidst animals, colorful flowers and a plethora of architectural details. Installed on the back wall of the cafeteria, the mural suggests a window to the outside world of contrasting cultural histories and artistic traditions woven together, mirroring the timeless enjoyment of shared celebrations, and diversity of students learning together at the school.