Project Description

A radiant headdress of azaleas celebrates South Gate’s civic pride. A symbol of femininity and the official flower of this family-friendly community, the ruddy flower petals gradually evolve into abstract building blocks that take the shape of the city’s boundaries.

Artist Statement

“I’m smitten by a city that adopts a flower representing the beauty and strength of a woman for its official symbol. Women are nurturers who raise, birth and grow; they are the basic building blocks for any family.  . . . This woman is the guardian, the protector, the builder and the grower of this Azalea City.”

About the Artist

JA’RIE GRAY (b. 1982, Los Angeles, California) is a figurative painter whose work addresses social and cultural issues impacting people of color. She earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts from Laguna College of Art and Design and Master of Fine Arts from California State University, Long Beach. During her studies, Gray was the recipient of numerous awards and honors, and her paintings have been exhibited throughout Southern California.