NEW YORK – Debra Simon Art Consulting and Amtrak announced the new, large-scale public art works by Chitra Ganesh and Eirini Linardaki now on display at New York Penn Station. For the first time since the series started at the station, Art at Amtrak has expanded from beyond the Amtrak Rotunda and 8th Avenue Concourse to the Hilton Corridor.

Greek-French artist Eirini Linardaki’s new installation, ‘Working Background,’ is a dynamic tribute to the people who keep New York Penn Station running. Linardaki said: “It’s very important for me because my dad worked as a bus driver most of his life, and I accompanied him a lot, looking at the city through his perspective.”

Motivated by her personal connection to public transportation, Linardaki met and photographed the station’s workers, “from electricians to cleaning personnel, conductors to customer service representatives,” to incorporate as the subjects of her murals.

Inspired by the energy of the nearby Garment District, Linardaki used fabrics— from Hawaiian shirts to African patterns— reminiscent of the clothing she saw at the station, and digitally collaged and layered these textiles to compose brightly colored tableaus incorporating the workers she met. The large-scale mural panels, while digital, retain a tactile, embroidered texture embodying the “tapestry of the city.”

‘Working Background’ highlights the people who make Penn Station function, and also embraces the rich textures and fabrics of the adjacent neighborhood, making visible the pride these workers take in their roles and acknowledging the centrality of Penn Station to the city’s fabric.

“Many thanks to Amtrak employees who accepted being part of my work,” Linardaki said. “Many thanks to Debra Simon, intrepid curator who trusted me to bring this work to completion.”

“With summer ending, and train travel continuing to increase, travelers and visitors can discover Chitra and Eirini’s work along their journey for a more inspirational and creative experience,” said Art at Amtrak Director Sharon Tepper. “Combining Chitra’s work, which celebrates life, with Eirini’s work that honors the Amtrak employees who help make Penn Station work, their installations will surprise and delight those traveling for leisure or business.”

Art at Amtrak is co-conceived, curated, and produced by Debra Simon Art Consulting. Since Amtrak launched the program in June 2022 at New York Penn Station, it has expanded to Moynihan Train Hall, William H. Gray III 30th Street Station in Philadelphia, and Washington Union Station. More information about Art at Amtrak and a complete list of artists can be found online: https://shorturl.at/17zRX.

New mural in Summit, NJ

Linardaki’s ‘A Sanctuary in Summit’ is a new mural commission by Summit Public Art finished in Summer 2024, based on research in Peak Sanctuaries in Minoan and other civilizations, as places of gathering and community sanctuary from ancient times. The mural is located at the corner of Ashwood and Park Avenues in Summit, NJ

“Many thanks to Panos Tsagaris who allowed me to use his space to work on this project, Vivian and Jacky who carried the project,” Linardaki said. “Many thanks to Chris Lai, intern, who helped me out during the production.”

“I am a new member of the Onassis ONX creative community,” Linardaki also announced. “I am working on a digital animation project for a couple of years now called ‘Wahoo Blast’ and since May 24 thanks to Onassis ONX exploring new imagery and new techniques with Christophe Le Derout and research in music with Adam Maor.”

“‘Wahoo Blast’ is a digital animation project that delves into the environmental destruction and climate emergency impacting insular communities. Inspired by the 1958 Wahoo nuclear test on the Marshall Islands, the project interweaves historical footage, collage, animation, and evocative electronic music to create an impactful and immersive experience.”

Onassis ONX is a hybrid production and exhibition space with a global community of members who create interactive and immersive XR works. Located in the Onassis Gallery in Midtown Manhattan, it was founded in partnership by the Onassis Foundation and NEW INC. https://www.onx.studio/members

Linardaki also participated in the Washington Square Park Conservancy Teaching Artist Residency program in July, bringing her “innovative approach to public art” to New York’s iconic park in Greenwich Village.

Finally, Linardaki thanked “the Rubin Museum team who allowed me to return to the collection and the museum’s archives to collect images of sanctuaries, mountains and demonesses for my ongoing research on community centers.”

Follow Eirini Linardaki on Instagram: @linardakiandco