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Wisdom Along the Way

Rockaway Av (3)

Wisdom Along the Way

Béatrice Lebreton
Metalwork windows by Beatrice Lebreton showing various scenes and phrases.
“Wisdom Along the Way” (2017) by Beatrice Lebreton at NYCT Rockaway Avenue Station. Photo: Trish Mayo

About the Project

Through "Wisdom Along the Way," Béatrice Lebreton acknowledges and mirrors the rich cultural heritage of the neighborhood, which is home to many Caribbean (Jamaica, Guyana, Haiti, Barbados, Puerto Rico) and African-American communities. People arriving in New York to start new lives bring their language and culture with them, contributing to the city's mosaic of cultures. The sounds of voices with different accents and dialects have their own rhythms, creating a kind of poetry in motion. To represent the unique cultural fingerprints, Lebreton selected proverbs from the various native languages to provide a sense of identity and connection. The sayings reflect peoples' origins and also possess commonalities to all. The proverbs are paired with illustrations and create a playful interaction similar to reading a storybook. 

About the Artist

Béatrice Lebreton was born in Tours, France. Her travels took her to different countries in Europe and Africa. She came to the United States in 1986 and has lived in New York City since 2008. She received a Master of Fine Arts from the École Nationale Supérieure des Beaux Arts in Paris and a Master of Ethno-aesthetic, with a concentration in African Art, from the  Sorbonne University.