Traveler, 1993

Project Description

Traveler, a tile mural located at the bottom of the escalator at the east entrance of the subway station, depicts travelers from different eras in a Los Angeles “timescape” that features historical references such as Spanish galleons, the Pico House, Olvera Street and actress Carol Lombard. Terry Schoonhoven's use of perspective extends the station into the mural and enhances the viewer's momentary time travel fantasy as they pause on their own journey.

Artist Statement

"I had been interested in doing a mural about time travel since I arrived in Los Angeles—probably because it seemed so difficult to perceive the history of the City. For me the mural is a time machine, the only kind I know how to build."

About the Artist

TERRY SCHOONHOVEN was born in Illinois, received a Bachelor of Science from the University of Wisconsin and attended graduate school in art at UCLA. In 1969, he co-founded the Los Angeles Fine Arts Squad and has been painting large scale public murals on his own until his death in 2001. Schoonhoven received NEA and CAC grants and was one of California’s most prolific muralists. He created the mural “City Above” commissioned by Home Savings Bank for the Metro Rail Figueroa Street entrance at the 7th Street/Metro Center Station as well as the mural installation at the Cal Street LA Metrolink Station. In much of his work, Schoonhoven used a trompe l’oeil technique to incorporate his paintings into the building’s architecture.