The mission of the Los Angeles County Department of Arts and Culture is to advance arts, culture, and creativity throughout LA County. We fulfill our mission by providing services and support in areas including grants and technical assistance for nonprofit organizations; professional development opportunities; commissioning civic artworks and managing the County’s civic art collection; implementing countywide arts education initiatives; research and evaluation; career pathways in the creative economy; free community programs; and cross sector creative strategies that address civic issues. This work is framed by the County’s Cultural Equity and Inclusion Initiative and a longstanding commitment to fostering access to the arts.
The Coming Together of a Community by Louise Griffin is a series of 17 sculptures placed along the library’s landscaping and walkways to represent the community gathering together. The concept is a reflection of the written words given to the artist by residents to describe their community. The words, including “together,” “family,” “unity” and “home,” inspired Griffin to design the sculptures in varying heights from 3 feet to 7 1/2 feet, and diameters from 4 inches to 13 inches, to mimic the diversity of the community, in its multicultural and generational make up.
Fabricated in powder-coated aluminum, the vibrant sculptures display collaged images of South Whittier’s history such as the Tongva Tribe, Pio Pico, the railroad industry and the Pacific Electric light rail. Alongside images are taken from the natural landscape and wildlife that make up the local ecology. The sculptures are organized thematically and include the names of all five South Whittier Neighborhoods in bold white text. Internally lit at night and perforated in unique patterns, the artworks transform into large lanterns across the site, as their placement direct visitors towards the entrance of the new library.
The Coming Together of a Community by Louise Griffin is a series of 17 sculptures placed along the library’s landscaping and walkways to represent the community gathering together. The concept is a reflection of the written words given to the artist by residents to describe their community. The words, including “together,” “family,” “unity” and “home,” inspired Griffin to design the sculptures in varying heights from 3 feet to 7 1/2 feet, and diameters from 4 inches to 13 inches, to mimic the diversity of the community, in its multicultural and generational make up.
Fabricated in powder-coated aluminum, the vibrant sculptures display collaged images of South Whittier’s history such as the Tongva Tribe, Pio Pico, the railroad industry and the Pacific Electric light rail. Alongside images are taken from the natural landscape and wildlife that make up the local ecology. The sculptures are organized thematically and include the names of all five South Whittier Neighborhoods in bold white text. Internally lit at night and perforated in unique patterns, the artworks transform into large lanterns across the site, as their placement direct visitors towards the entrance of the new library.
About the Artist:
Louise Griffin is a Los Angeles-based artist who is transitioning from an architecture to a studio art practice. Her work demonstrates a deep commitment to environmental sustainability and community. This commission will result in her first permanent public art installation. Griffin received her MArch from UCLA and completed her thesis at the Royal Academy of Art, Architecture School, in Copenhagen, Denmark. To learn more about the artist, please visit: www.griffinmade.com.
