Detail of Martin Durazo’s artwork, Vamos Juntos/Juntas

El Monte Station is outfitted with four new artworks that celebrate the cultural heritage of the area and examine the way we cross paths in transit.

Artists Martin Durazo, Phung Huynh, Vincent Ramos and Eloy Torrez were selected to create artworks for Metro’s El Monte Station, which opened in fall 2012. Each created four artworks that were translated into aluminum panels for display in four transit bays at the station. The colorful project brings vibrancy and an improved customer experience to the largely concrete and metal modern structure.

The four artists’ statements and project descriptions are provided below to complement your viewing pleasure of their pictured work.

The original transit center, built in the 1970s, was the busiest bus-only station west of the Mississippi. It was demolished to make way for a new two-level station, doubling passenger and bus bay capacities and adding bike storage. Additionally, the station greets passengers with an iconic sculpture by the artist Donald Lipski entitled, Time Piece.

Phung Huynh’s artwork, In the Meadow, is informed by the city’s rich history through the use of symbolic and metaphoric imagery.

In the Meadow by Phung Huynh

“I am familiar with the city of El Monte and its surrounding areas in the San Gabriel Valley. The city’s tranquil yet powerful presence in greater Los Angeles is an exciting subject to explore in public art.” – Phung Huynh

“In the Meadow” pays tribute to El Monte’s rich history through symbolic and metaphoric imagery. The stylized treatment of forms and figures are inspired by Mexican and Chinese cut paper folk art traditions and Japanese woodblock prints, which were meant to honor farm workers. Art panels reflect icons and picturesque elements of El Monte’s past. Some art panels depict picturesque glimpses into El Monte’s idyllic, agrarian past. In another art part panel, a Chinese lion reflects the historic lions in El Monte’s famous Gay’s Lion Farm of the 1920s and 1930s. The powerful image of the lion is also the El Monte High School mascot.

With Vamos Juntos/Juntas, Martin Durazo uses swirling vibrant colors to energetically convey the ever-changing intersection of cultures and environments in the Los Angeles area.

Vamos Juntos/Juntas by Martin Durazo

“This work for El Monte Metro Station is a culmination of the energy and vibrant nature of the cross-section of the community of El Monte and of the greater Metro ridership. Using bright colors intertwined with swooping paint strokes, I mirror the day-to-day power that comes from people on the go. It is the goal of this work to invigorate its viewers and for them to feel that they are part of our robust always on the go culture.” – Martin Durazo

Through the use of swirling vibrant colors such as metallic blue, electric yellows, pinks and silvers, Martin Durazo captures the energy of people traveling. His meaningful use of color includes the use of metallic blue as an ode to the California seashores meeting with the metal of man-made, transportation-based culture. The ground colors reflect the landscape of Southern California.

Vinvent Ramos pays homage to the rich cultural contribution of the El Monte Legion Stadium, a hotbed of activity in its heyday though El Monte Legion Stadium Nocturne.

El Monte Legion Stadium by Vincent Ramos

“Research shows that when El Monte Legion Stadium was demolished in 1974, it was a truly painful experience for many members of the local community. Almost 40 years later, that loss still resonates as chapters in books, online chat rooms, and whole websites dedicated to preserving the memories associated with this place. This project is a physical extension of those gestures located adjacent to the actual El Monte site.” –Vincent Ramos

Vincent Ramos acknowledges local history by paying homage to the rich cultural contribution of the El Monte Legion Stadium. The stadium was a hot bed of activity in its heyday. At a time of severe racial divide, the live music and sporting events that took place there brought people of all races and colors together from all over Southern California. The artwork focuses on the musicians who played at the stadium and the promoters (radio deejays and TV personalities) who organized and hosted these events.

Eloy Torrez explores our momentary encounters as we cross paths with each other in our daily lives and within the transit environment in The Steps We Take.

The Steps We Take by Eloy Torrez

“I am interested in the encounters that stir within us curiosities that lead to momentary conversations as we cross paths with each other in our daily lives. Transit stations are the perfect circumstance for these encounters. The passing through, across and over scenarios are what I am attempting to convey to the viewer. The stairs are the foundation used to connect the two levels of passage. They also resemble the lines used in sheet music with figures representing the notes on the stairs. The movement of the stepping feet symbolizes the beat behind the music of voices.” – Eloy Torrez

A series of four art panels depict momentary encounters of people crossing paths in their daily lives. The images visualize the movement, energy and unintentional patterns people create during their travels. These paintings are about the journey, reflecting quiet encounters that significantly contribute to the environmental conditions of commuting.

Click here to learn more about Metro’s art program.