Artwork Detail

Ofrenda Maya I

Artist: Goez Studios

Object Date: 1978

Medium: Glazed ceramic tile

Imperial Dims: Overall: 108 x 144 in.

Department(s): Public Library

Supervisorial District: 1

About the Artwork:

Ofrenda Maya I (Mayan Offering) is a glazed ceramic tile mural at the entrance of the City Terrace Library. The artwork depicts two Mayan warriors kneeling on either side of a third warrior who stands above them with his arms outstretched, grasping a chalice and rattle. The figure on the right bows his head, while the opposite warrior lifts up his hands. The artwork is done in a Pre-Columbian Mayan style: highly detailed, intricate and colorful.

About the Artist:

Founded in East Los Angeles in 1969 by José Luis Gonzalez, his brother Juan Gonzalez, and their friend David Botello, Goez Art Studio was originally a business that provided many artistic services including art restoration, advertisement design, custom furniture fabrication, and mural creation. In the 1970s Goez’s focus turned increasingly to murals and the Studio created many significant public artworks in the Los Angeles area. José Luis Gonzalez directed the The Short Life of John Doe (La Vida Breve de Alfonso Fulano) mural project and Robert Arenivar (1931-1985) created the design. Robert Arenivar was born in Pittsburg, California but grew up in East Los Angeles and became a self-taught artist. When Goez formed, José Luis Gonzalez invited Arenivar to join the Studio. Arenivar quit his factory job and eventually became Goez’s head mural designer and illustrator.