Destiny Palmer, Energize. Then go with the flow., 2023, ceramic pigment digitally printed on laminated tempered glass, PS 47 Chris Galas, Queens​

Energize. Then go with the flow. is a site-specific artwork created by Destiny Palmer for the lobby of the new P.S. 47 Chris Galas, Queens. Spanning the lobby’s three transoms, the printed glass installation suggests a panoramic feel that echoes the expanse of Jamaica Bay, visible in every direction from the school’s top floor. The encircling layout creates a gentle sense of being held within the waters of the Bay, bringing awareness to the remarkably biodiverse resource that defines the island community of Broad Channel. This effect also calls to mind a light-filled aquarium, inviting students to practice close observation as a way to understand and value the rich marine and estuarian life around them. 

Palmer’s composition is a celebration of the Bay’s dynamic energy and life force. Vivid, abstract splashes of color playfully swirl like a school of fish within a background of changing water. Intricate golden linework depicts waves cresting and receding against a blue gradient that shifts from an invigorating, rich tone to a softer, tranquil shade. The glowing yellow evokes sunrays gleaming off the Bay’s calm surface. As daylight filters into the space, the artwork changes with it, growing brighter or darker, mirroring the dynamic, ever-changing cycle of nature. Palmer’s exuberant use of form and color captures the sense of motion, joy and energy that students bring to the learning experience.