Project Description

Sherin Guirguis’s richly colored artworks for the platform and fence at Aviation/Century Station (opening to be announced) reflect the countless individuals who have migrated to the area, many of whom have risen above tremendous obstacles. Combining visual references from the station site, such as the colors of the sky at dusk and dawn, and ironwork adorning the porches of nearby homes, she also alludes to her own history and journey to Los Angeles. Considering the cultural, social and spatial histories shared by transit users, the artwork reflects the diversity of the surrounding neighborhood and LA County.

The artist collaborated with local organization Free Arts to develop a workshop for the youth the organization serves. Through an art making activity, students were introduced to the unique techniques of painting and paper-cutting which Gurguis used in her commissioned artwork and then discussed their creations together.

 

Artist Statement

“As a daily Metro user, I experience the convergence of people from a multitude of backgrounds. I consider the train platform a gateway and threshold for riders as they connect one part of their day with the next. It is a place where the diversity of the city is highlighted and where the interaction between its citizens and visitors is most dynamic.”

 

About the Artist

SHERIN GURGUIS (b. 1974) is known for her paintings, drawings and sculptures exploring cultural identity and lost feminist histories. She earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts from the University of California, Santa Barbara and Master of Fine Arts from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas.  She is the Chair of Foundation and Associate Professor of the Practice of Fine Art at the University of Southern California. Guirguis’s work has been featured in numerous exhibitions in the United States and abroad, and is included in the permanent collections of the Los Angeles County Museum of Art and Orange County Museum of Art, among others. She is the recipient of grants from the 18^th Street Art Center, the California Community Foundation, the Center for Cultural Innovation and the City of Los Angeles Department of Cultural Affairs