Project Description

A colorful collage of urban planning featuring: a multi-lane commercial corridor, Del Amo Avenue; mid-century housing and manicured home niwas (gardens); historic Gardena Blvd and school mascot “easter eggs” from Harbor Gateway schools; and remembrance to those resting at a Memorial Park.  

This artwork was commissioned for Metro’s Through the Eyes of Artists poster series for display in the fleet.

Artist Statement

Shop small, shop small biz
Taste your day along commerce corridors
Go Harbor Gateway

Run, bike, walk, scoot through
architecturally eclectic neighborhoods and
Go Harbor Gateway

Remember me
at Roosevelt Memorial Park
Go Harbor Gateway

About the Artist

EMILY KIWA TANAKA (b. 1980, Long Beach, CA) is a nisei (second generation) Japanese American artist and community organizer whose practice involves transforming stories into whimsical illustrations. She utilizes her training in Japanese brush calligraphy and engineering to play with scale, create fun activities and public art that engages the community. She has created art events and activations with the Long Beach Zine Fest, Museum of Latin American Art and for Downtown Long Beach Alliance. She is a Cal Poly San Luis Obispo architecture school alum.

About Through the Eyes of Artists

In the tradition of celebrating transportation through colorful travel destination posters, Metro Art commissions a diverse range of Los Angeles artists to create original artworks for the Through the Eyes of Artists poster series. Established in 2003, the posters are displayed onboard Metro trains and buses.

View other works in the series.

Display year: 2023