A stunning new addition to the New York City subway system is the “Abstract Futures” mural, created by the feminist art collective Hilma’s Ghost. This 600-square-foot glass mosaic masterpiece can be found at the 42nd Street entrance to the 7 train in Grand Central Station. Commissioned by the Metropolitan Transportation Authority’s Arts and Design program, this artwork is part of the city’s Percent for Art initiative, which has brought over 400 public art installations to various transit locations.
The mural is divided into three sections, each telling a unique story that combines tarot symbolism with heroic narratives. The first section follows the journey of “The Fool,” a tarot card representing new opportunities and beginnings. The middle panel showcases the challenges and spiritual growth of the protagonist, symbolized by the “Wheel of Fortune” tarot archetype. The final segment depicts a spiritual transformation, with the main character gaining a deeper understanding of themselves against a backdrop of a colorful sky and tarot wands.
Designed by Brooklyn-based artists Sharmistha Ray and Dannielle Tegeder, the mural took two years to develop and was created in collaboration with mosaic fabricator Stephen Miotto. Inspired by the work of Swedish artist Hilma af Klint, Hilma’s Ghost aims to reimagine spiritual practices and cultural narratives through various art projects. The “Abstract Futures” mural is a celebration and meditation on the city’s cycles of growth and renewal, paying tribute to New York’s resilience and sense of collective belonging.
Ray and Tegeder describe the mural as a contemplative space focused on inclusivity, connection, and healing. The artwork invites viewers to reflect on their own journeys and transformations, echoing the perpetual cycles of change and renewal that define life in the city.
The “Abstract Futures” mural stands as a testament to the power of art to inspire, uplift, and connect communities in shared experiences of growth and transformation. As commuters pass through the subway station, they are greeted by a vibrant mosaic that reminds them of the endless possibilities that await on their own individual paths.
