Acrylic on birch panel, 48x36x1.5 in.
Statement: My work for Geofictions LA refers to the impacts that the built, industrial environment has on the experiences of our communities living in South East Los Angeles. The built environment creates the scenery people experience and negatively impacts the health of our communities, which is a deep-rooted issue we have to contend with as we move forward to revitalize the LA River.
In “Steel Grinding: Since 1950”, the factory facade in the painting is characteristic of the many factories along the industrialized areas of the LA River which have shaped how I have interacted with and experienced the Los Angeles River. My portrait is juxtaposed with the industrial facade as a reflection on the industrial history of the area but also as a look forward into potential futures. The infrastructure of the river was not designed to maximize the health of our communities but in many ways has been repurposed out of a necessity to have natural, open spaces. As time moves forward, the space is being continually reimagined as a more inclusive space.
About the Artist: David Martinez is an artist, print maker and educator centralized in Los Angeles. He is a first generation American born and raised in South East Los Angeles from Durango, Mexico descendants. David holds a BA in Public Health and Art Practice from the University of California, Berkeley.
David's explores the complex effects of the built environment and collective narratives of life in Los Angeles. I make narrative scenes that refer to history, geography, biology and my own experiences in order to encapsulate and reclaim a complex urban experience in Los Angeles. I am drawn to the history of the American southwest and want to explore how the built environment, migration and internalized narratives shape new narratives we create and our trajectory into the future.
Hometown: Bell, CA
Connect: instagram: @david.arenas.martinez
Mixed Media, 42x45.6 in.
Statement: In my art work I respond to the social and political conditions in Compton. The city of Compton is notorious for gang violence, corruption and urban decay. I illustrates stories based on my experiences as a pedestrian in the city. My long walks around the city of Compton served as a creative path, which allowed me to observe, document and express urban blight. The goal of my artwork is to shine a light on places often neglected by the public eye. I believe there is a certain beauty that can be found in these places. One particular place I reference in my art work is the bridge on Rosecrans and Alameda. This structure contains a staircase that obtains 100 steps. In order to get to school, every morning I was forced to climb them. I saw weeds and moss flourish from underneath. I believe the bridge and the plants became a metaphor for me which represented my experiences and hardships I witness living in the community.
About the Artist: Jessica Farela is a fine artist currently living in Compton California. She is inspired by urban landscapes and her person experience as a resident of the city. She was recently accepted at University of California Irvine, Claire Trevor School of the Arts as an undergrad student. Her works have been displayed in local galleries including the long beach city college art gallery.
Hometown: Compton, CA
Connect: instagram: @jessfarla_
Digital Photography, 12x24 in.
Statement: As a landscape photographer one of my goals is to show other photographers that you do not need to travel to far out destinations to capture amazing landscapes. I see the LA River as a natural space to bring back the beauty of nature to our plains of asphalt and power lines trees.
In my photograph, I wanted to capture the power and beauty of the sun. It has this otherworldly feel to it but it is disturbed by billboards, asphalt, and power lines.
My hope is that this photograph shows that beautiful landscapes could be captured in our neighborhoods and that the LA River provides a haven for landscapes to flourish and encourage others to preserve our communities.
About the Artist: A self-taught photographer born and raised in South Gate, CA. I have been photographing for over 10+ years. My main passion is landscape photography but I always just enjoy being outside and with my camera even if it is for a cup of coffee or a walk at the park. I also run the SELA Photography Club on Instagram (SELAPhotography.Club).
Hometown: South Gate, CA
Connect: instagram: @Billy.MJ
Poetry
No More Rain
Just a Californian desert of pain.
Only the sun.
Only slow and heavy heat waves.
No more rain.
Just long yellow fields
smeared like yolk along the 5.
Dead crops with signs that say
Save Water,
Save Jobs,
but the farmers
already stuffed their lives
into bags and ran from the rays.
Too many sunsets without tears.
Goodbye Yosemite.
Bear skulls puncture the earth.
No more squirrels to bury acorns.
Yellow weeds sting like knives.
Clear dry skies laugh from up high.
Grapes dry like lizard skin.
No more wine and dine.
No more slip and slide.
No more super soakers,
water balloons,
or buckets of ice
to the dome.
Just thirsty ducks
crawling on stones.
Just frail alley cats
fading on asphalt floors.
Just brittle cows
melting along highway roads.
No more rain.
Just 12 dollar avocados,
6 dollar apples,
10 dollar cheeseburgers
from McDonald’s.
No more rain.
Just a gun pointed at a head
for Aquafina water bottles.
Just baseball bats cracking glass
to steal vegetables.
Just knees on the floor,
praying for stormy skies.
Just vehicles buried in dirt.
Just water fountains covered in cobwebs.
No more rain.
Just fists to the face.
Neighbor against neighbor.
A firestorm of desperation and rage.
No more rain.
Just a code of ethics
that dried out a long time ago
when the redwoods
were stripped
of their clothes.
Just empty nests
because the birds
all knew to fly away.
No more rain.
No more rain.
Just regret
for the changes we failed to make.
Statement: "No More Rain" is a dystopian poem bringing to light the very dark truths that will come to our society if we do not take active steps today to protect our environment. Too often, we ignore the natural world around us - as individuals, as community - and our actions will only negate the beautiful opportunities nature has to thrive around us. If we allow big corporations to keep abusing our mother earth, the environmental impacts will be hazardous for all of us, turning neighbor against neighbor in a feeble attempt to survive.
About the Artist: Eric Eztli is a poet, community organizer, educator, and the founder and host of Alivio Open Mic, a garage salon in Bell, California. A native of Southeast Los Angeles, and proud descendant of Mexican immigrants, he believes it’s his calling to speak the emotional truths of his people and use his words to challenge social injustices around the world. Eric calls himself a "voice-builder," a person creating spaces and energy in order for people to speak themselves into existence.
Hometown: Bell, CA
Connect: instagram: @ericeztli
Variety of Textiles
Statement: Underneath the concrete there is life, in the water that flows in the small canal there is life. Let’s bring life back to our concrete river by celebrating our culture. I imagine a river full of color and mysteriousness. I see the river full of life like the top in this piece. Full of color but still in a blur since I still can’t pin point how it looks specifically to me. It’s still a dream and a blur. Let’s work together in this river like the women Guatemalan fabric does to create a masterpiece. The fabric is twisted and gathered because that is how I envision the visitors of the river. Entangled and confused by the amazingness of what can become of our river.
About the Artist: Jenn M. is straight out of Los Angeles by way of South Gate, California.
A culture enthusiast, loyal soul and dancing spirit, she received her BFA in Fashion Design from the Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD) in Savannah, GA where her west coast style met and influenced the southern gothic.
A vibrant being, her personal and educational background brings an eye popping and unique edge to her signature looks. Looks that cross cultures and peoples, challenging perceptions and promoting personal expression.
The Jenn M. world is a world where colors + shapes = patterns.
Come see what she sees.
Hometown: South Gate, CA
Connect: instagram: @jenndamingo