ARTWORK & ARTIST BIOS
1
Hope Heals the Heart of the City
By Ayumi Chisolm
Painted on location and on view in LACAN's outdoor courtyard
Hope Heals the Heart of the City depicts 5 women representing Tongva/Indigenous, African American, Mexicana, Japanese/Asian, and white/European all with their hands nurturing a heart in a basket. The heart in the basket alludes to drums found throughout all cultures, the basket also represents the womb. The arrows underneath are the ripples of influence vibrating from this heartbeat drum circle to resonate through the city. Hope heals, and we all need to take part in the process, together we inspire hope in each other.
Ayumi Chisolm aka Sanoizm began tagging in 1983 and developed into a mural artist, illustrator and canvas painter.
You can find his work at: @Sanoizm
2
The Bobby Buck Show: Windows of Little Bronze Tokyo
By Bobby Buck
The Bobby Buck Show: Windows of Little Bronze Tokyo included a live event featuring red carpet interviews and a panel discussion with diverse community members speaking about the history of Bronzeville, and connections between the Skid Row and Little Tokyo neighborhoods.
Recorded and edited for public viewing on http://BobbyBuck.TV.
Bobby Buck is originally from Arkansas and was formerly a homeless resident of the Skid Row community. He promotes community impact through media, financial literacy, and entrepreneurship. He's relaunching The Bobby Buck Show and starting Bobby Buck TV on nwn.tv & Roku.
You can find his work at: https://beacons.ai/bobbybuck, http://bobbybuck.tv
3
Little Bronze Tokyo Dreamer
By Carey Westbrook
Little Bronze Tokyo Dreamer aka Carey Westbrook's Kawaii Comics Kablam: a multi-media homage to Black / Asian solidarity, is based on Carey’s real-life experiences. Carey invites us to join an epic artistic odyssey through Bronzeville Chicago, Bronzeville DTLA, Skid Row, Little Tokyo, past, present, and future in a short film, workshop, original artwork and zine.
Carey Westbrook is a comic strip artist who is an active member of Little Tokyo Neighbors, The Haunt Ghost Tour Guide, Naropa / Columbia College graduate, LA Neo-Noir Festival director, biggest Steely Dan fan, and more!
You can find his work at: http://www.lanneff.com/, @careythehero
4
Windows of Little Bronze Tokyo
By Miki Yokoyama
Windows of Little Bronze Tokyo is a canvas mural and map of Little Tokyo and Skid Row, inspired by Miki’s research and conversations with people in both neighborhoods. It shows buildings and people from the past and present and the path that both communities have taken. “Learning about the connected histories of these communities was enlightening and a joy. I wanted to express that in this painting.”
Miki Yokoyama was born in Japan and resides in Los Angeles. Miki is an autodidact working across multiple mediums including canvas, objet, murals, and live performance.
You can find her work at: https://www.mikiyokoyama.com/, @mikiyokoyama.art
5
Languages of the Drum: The Voices of Culture
By Wayne Hoggatt
Languages of the Drum: The Voices of Culture bridges Little Tokyo Japanese culture to African American culture through drums and music, including a fusion performance of a new composition by Wayne integrating jazz and taiko rhythms, and featuring guest artists representing diverse traditions. At the core, Wayne’s music and films are all about uplifting humanity and the human spirit in positive ways.
Wayne Hoggatt aka HOGGTOVEN was born in Los Angeles, and currently residing in the Arts District. He is a musician, filmmaker, and composer. He has traveled the world as a drummer and now works as an event coordinator and A/V technician at Art Share L.A. where he performs his music and drumming.
You can find his work at: @WayneHoggatt