Sonia Romero 1

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Sonia Romero
Tierra del Sol
2010

Project Area: Reseda/Canoga Park
Project: Dennis P. Zine Community Center
Project Location: 21400 Saticoy Street
Project Type: Developer Initiated

Description:

Originally created as a mixed media linoleum cut and painting, Sonia Romero’s “Tierra del Sol” artwork was transformed into an 8 x 12 foot powder coated mural on an aluminum panel. With this piece, Romero sought to “honor the earth we live on and inspire a feeling of potential in our community.” The mural depicts five figures harnessing the power of a smiling sun to work the land and grow the community. The focal point of the mural is the seedling, representing life. Each figure helps to nurture its growth. The man holds a book, to represent learning. The older woman holds a basket, representing the harvest, while the other holds a guitar, representing the arts. The two youngest children tend the plant directly, representing the future. This mural is located in the entry hall of the Dennis P. Zine Community Center which provides educational and supportive services that help families build assets and become economically self-sufficient.

Sonia Romero's "Tierra del Sol" mural at the Dennis P. Zine Community Center

Close-up of Sonia Romero's "Tierra del Sol" mural

Artist Profile

Los Angeles artist Sonia Romero received her BFA from the Rhode Island School of Design with an emphasis on printmaking. Exhibition highlights include her debut solo show at Avenue 50 Studio in Highland Park, a printmaking retrospective at Self Help Graphics in East Los Angeles, and a solo exhibition at the Vincent Price Art Museum at East Los Angeles College. In addition to receiving public art commissions from the Community Redevelopment Agency of the City of Los Angeles, she has completed public art projects for the Los Angeles Metropolitan Transit Authority (MTA) and the Los Angeles County Arts Commission. Sonia Romero’s "MacArthur Park: Urban Oasis," completed for the MTA, received an award from the American for the Arts 2011 Public Art Network Year in Review which recognizes the best public artworks in the United States. Romero’s studio, She Rides the Lion, is located in Northeast Los Angeles.