|
||
|
|
|
|
| Home | About Us | Art Department | ||
|
Metro Neighborhoods Poster SeriesIn the tradition of celebrating transportation through colorful travel destination posters, Metro Art has commissioned a diverse range of Los Angeles artists to create works for the “Metro Neighborhoods” poster series. The intent of the series is to convey the distinctive character and vitality of neighborhoods and destinations served by the Metro network. The selected works are displayed throughout the Metro Bus fleet and Metro Rail system and are available as notecards and as rail card posters through the Metro Store. The series has been awarded a Print Magazine Design Excellence Award, an Illustration Magazine “Fresh” Illustration Award, a Los Angeles Society of Illustrators Award as well as a Tranny Award. Cynthia Evans, artist Hermosa Beach is depicted in the style of vintage postcards. Evans celebrates the city’s centennial and 100 years of beach culture by commemorating its groundbreaking lifeguard service, iconic pier and museum, a female surfing champion from the 1930’s and the quirky environment of surf and sand culture. “I wanted this painting to look fun, since the beach is definitely that. It is loosely based on vintage postcards and features old fashioned bathing costumes, a historic map and made up postage stamps.” CYNTHIA EVANS received her Masters of Fine Arts at Claremont Graduate University in Claremont, California. She has exhibited her paintings throughout the West Coast including the Koplin Del Rio Gallery in Los Angeles and the Linda Hodges Gallery in Seattle, Washington. Patricia Fernandez, artist What interests Fernandez most about the Watts Towers is the magical quality of the organic, sculptural walls that surround the historic landmark. Much like Simon Rodia, creator of Watts Towers, Fernandez used found pieces of material to design her collage. “Illustrating my experience of the Watts Towers, I have mixed collage elements into the painting, much like Simon Rodia did, in his construction of the towers. Where he found ceramic fragments and small figurines given to him by the neighborhood folk, I used found fabrics and other paper pieces to create an image of celebration, color, and community life.” PATRICIA FERNANDEZ studied at Saint Martins School of Art and Design, London Institute; received a Bachelor of Fine Arts from the University of California, Los Angeles and a masters from Pacific Oak College in Pasadena. Phung Huynh, artist Alhambra was the first city in California with an iron pipe irrigation system. The pipes frame the cultural icons and symbols of the city, including its founder, B.D. Wilson, and depict the community’s diversity, commerce and history. “Representations of Alhambra’s history are made in my artwork as well as an attempt to visually bridge historical references with contemporary scenes and attitudes.” PHUNG HUYNH received a Bachelor of Fine Arts from Arts Center College of Design in Pasadena and a Master of Fine Arts from New York University. Currently teaching at East Los Angeles College, Huynh has exhibited her works locally and nationally and is also the artist for the Metro Orange Line Laurel Canyon station. Lois Keller, artist Sculptural olive trees align the streets along Valley Mall, the city’s bustling shopping district, and reference the original barrios. Flower and strawberry fields lie in the shade of the San Gabriel Mountains. “What began as a mere oasis along the Santa Fe Trail, became the final destination for many immigrants impressed by the undeniable qualities of El Monte. These groups settled in nine separate “barrios” which, over the years, built strong ties with one another, ties that eventually led to collective action in 1933 for improved treatment and wages.” LOIS KELLER received a Bachelor of Arts from University of Wisconsin, has exhibited throughout the United States and has worked as a scenic painter for the Cincinnati Opera and Ballet. Sonia Romero, artist Romero pulls together a wide variety of cultural icons from the city’s history including the LA County Fair, Antique Row, the Arts Colony, the Wally Parks Motorsports Museum, and the goddess of Pomona herself. “This is a symmetrical design which contains elements from many interesting aspects of the city of Pomona. These include: the goddess Pomona herself, orange trees from a bygone era, low-riders from the many car shows, the Ferris wheel, horse racing and farm animals from the Fairplex, the antique and art colony arches, and the Fox theater from downtown. The style of this piece is inspired by orange crate graphic labels.” SONIA ROMERO is a graduate of the Los Angeles County High School for the Arts and received a Bachelor of Fine Arts from the Rhode Island School of Design. Her works have been exhibited in group shows locally with her first solo exhibition in September 2006 at the Avenue 50 Studio in Highland Park. Karl Abramovic, artist Inspired by the eclectic atmosphere of the NoHo Arts District, Abramovic has depicted the comedy, musicals and cabarets featured at the Whitefire, El Portal, Secret Rose and Raven theatres. To research his project, the artist interviewed theater owners and representatives of the Valley Theatre League. Madame Butterfly, also one of the characters depicted in Abramovic’s work, was the first play produced at the Secret Rose Theatre. “The pirate shown in my poster represents musicals such as the Pirates of Penzance as well as children's features performed in the Joy Theatre at the Raven Playhouse in North Hollywood. The cabaret actor represents shows featured at the Whitefire and El Portal Theatres.” KARL ABRAMOVIC is a freelance illustrator and has been published in Idler Magazine, NoHo News, The Los Angeles Times and the San Fernando Business Journal. He currently works between Portland, Oregon, and Los Angeles. Nicholas Fedak II, artist Looking downward from the highest point of Topanga Canyon Boulevard, viewers can see glittering lights that shine like jewels. Hopelessly romantic, the image conjures up feelings of love and dreams coming true. “I have lived in the Valley since 1978 and love it. I wanted to do something very dreamy. I thought of going on top of Topanga Canyon and creating an image that was ethereal. I shot it in the evening, at twilight, when nothing is clear, where something is like a memory and you can’t explain it in words.” NICHOLAS FEDAK II received his Masters of Fine Arts from the Otis College of Art and Design. Fedak has exhibited extensively nationally, has received numerous awards and commissions, and has been published in The Photo Review, The New York Times and The Washington Post. Ronald J. Llanos, artist Llanos depicts a series of Valley characters amidst the commercial hub-bub of Victory Boulevard and Van Nuys Boulevard. “My inspiration for the poster project was to capture small vignettes or ‘snap shots’ of different people around the corner of Victory and Van Nuys Boulevard. Urban environments and people are a part of my own personal work. I also have a love for comics and artists that use drawing as a journalistic medium. The overall design was to imply a sort of comic book page layout” RON LLANOS has exhibited regionally at the Eagle Rock Community Center, The Drawing Club and Avenue 50 Studio. Llanos also teaches at his alma mater, the Art Center College of Design, where he received a Bachelor of Fine Arts with Honors. John Trevino, artist Trevino has adapted the Monkey King character from Chinese folklore to symbolically bridge the gap between Chinatown’s traditions and its emerging pop culture. “I think that for artist today it’s not enough to just show work on a gallery level, but that we have something greater to offer. With this approach, I feel I would not just increase the visibility of my work, but also the role of the artist as an active participant of the shaping and imaging of the future.” JOHN TREVINO received his Bachelor of Arts in Black Studies and Art Studio from U.C. Santa Barbara and Master of Fine Arts in painting from Howard University, Washington D.C. He has painted murals throughout Los Angeles and Washington, D.C. and most recently had his first solo exhibition at the Watts Towers Art Center. Sam Pace, artist A haven for jazz, hip-hop, blues, poetry, artwork and great soul food- Pace visually evokes one of LA’s best-kept secrets. “I wanted to capture this unique area of Los Angeles…it’s a Mecca for African American culture, and I feel that it’s time to share it with the rest the world. This project is one way that I can help accomplish this goal.” SAM PACE is an artist, graphic designer and illustrator. He has exhibited in many galleries and community centers throughout Los Angeles including the Watts Tower Art Center. His commissions include poster illustrations for events such as the Vancouver Wine and Jazz Festival and the Playboy Jazz Festival. He is currently working on a television documentary covering Los Angeles’ African American Jazz heritage. Manny Cosentino, artist Cosentino’s oil on canvas of Echo Park depicts an idyllic setting for a wide range of activities and festivals close to downtown. “There it was all laid out before me: the palm trees, Echo Park Lake, the boathouse, Rafa doing Tai chi (like he did so many mornings) and breaking through the mist in the distance, the skyscrapers of Downtown.” MANNY COSENTINO is an artist and art educator. He has exhibited in many Los Angeles galleries, including a solo exhibition at the Barnsdall Art Center in 1996 and the Landscapes 2003 Exhibition at the California State University, Los Angeles. Cosentino has also taught seminars in classical painting and drawing techniques at the University of California, Los Angeles and the Los Angeles County Museum of Art. Sarajo Frieden, artist Frieden’s playful panorama captures the gamut of fun activities that characterize the canals, beach and boardwalks of this creative community. “A Venice breeze beckons. Fresh off the ocean, it hints at possibilities or surreal dream. Venice is a place, but it’s also a state of mind.” SARAJO FRIEDEN is an artist and illustrator who has exhibited in galleries throughout Los Angeles. Her artwork appears regularly in national and international magazines, children’s books, CD covers and greeting cards. Walter Askin, artist Renowned for fostering parades and festivals, Pasadena is represented in a whimsical procession of playful characters marching through his hometown. “…the real joy as an artist is to create work filled with delight, work that is more calm, more serene, more alive, more playful, more energized, more focused, more directed and more life filled for the time that we’re here.” WALTER ASKIN studied art at the University of California Berkley and at the Ruskin School of Fine Art, Oxford University, England. He has exhibited throughout the world, including solo-exhibitions at: Kunslerhaus, Vienna; the Whitney Museum, New York; and the De Young Museum, San Francisco. He taught for many years at the University of California, Los Angeles where he received the Outstanding Professor Award. His artwork is included in the collections of: the Tate Gallery, London; the Institute of Contemporary Art, Chicago; and the National Gallery of Art, Washington DC. Raoul de la Sota, artist Dusk shrouds Highland Park homes and LA freeways while downtown's skyscrapers are sihouetted against a fiery twilight. “Night has fallen and lights from traffic, houses and businesses glow in the dark. From the reddened horizon the sky deepens upward into night and onto that night is etched the stars and constellations of the ancient peoples.” RAOUL DE LA SOTA is Professor Emeritus in Mexican Art History at Los Angeles City College. He has exhibited throughout the United States and Mexico and his artwork has been included in exhibitions at the Laguna Art Museum, Laguna Beach and the UCLA Armand Hammer Museum, Los Angeles. He is the first Chicano artist to be awarded a Fullbright Fellowship. Artemio Rodríguez, artist Rodríguez illustrates how East Los Angeles cemeteries honor its diverse history and reflect the community’s sense of family and soul. “There are at least 6 cemeteries in east LA…I think of cemeteries as a museum, a park and a garden. There you will find beautiful art pieces in the open air, palms and flowers.” ARTEMIO RODRIGUEZ apprenticed to the master printmaker Juan Pascoe, Mexico and was awarded the Jovenes Creadores Award. He has published over 7 limited edition books. His work is included in the collections of: the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, Los Angeles; Mexican Fine Arts Museum, Chicago; and the Laguna Art Museum, Laguna Beach. He recently completed “Modern Broadsides” in association with Self Help Graphics and the Graphic Council of the Los Angeles County Museum of Art. Jody Zellen, artist Zellen is interested in the patterns, structures and design of the urban environment and uses a wide range of imagery culled from the mass media as well as historical archives. Her poster design contrasts the formality and grace of the Wiltern Theater’s Art Deco architecture against the dizzying flurry of business along Wilshire Boulevard. “In my photographic work I juxtapose images of old and new cities reflecting a sense of nostalgia for the past contrasted with wonder about the future. Through a bombardment of disparate images, my pieces celebrate the complexity and unpredictability of city spaces.” JODY ZELLEN’s photography has been included in: the XXV Bienal de Sao Paulo, Brazil; Art Future, Taipei; the Banff Center for the Arts, Canada; and the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, Los Angeles. She also completed a permanent public art project for the Metro Orange Line Reseda Station in Los Angeles and the Capitol Area East End Complex in Sacramento. Bob Zoell, artist Zoell is an artist who frequently uses the language of advertising as his medium. Zoell depicts Griffith Park as a whimsical, fun environment boasting many attractions. Covering 4000 acres it’s the largest municipal park in the United States. “What especially attracts me to the early posters of the 20s, 30s and 40s is the simplicity and minimal thinking in order to reach an audience of a busy modern world. The colors were often very bold and screamed ‘Look at me, forget those other guys, I am very simple, LOOK AT ME’.” BOB ZOELL’S artwork has been published in the New Yorker Magazine and he has authored many children’s books. He has been included in exhibitions throughout the world including the Fundacio Joan Miro, Barcelona and the Center Georges Pompidou, Paris. His artwork is included in the permanent collection of the Los Angeles Museum of Contemporary Art. He has also completed a public art project for the Metro Red Line Wilshire/Vermont Station in Los Angeles.
Copyright © 2008, LACMTA | Privacy Policy |