Compton: Past, Present and Future

Artwork: Compton: Past, Present and Future
Artist(s): Eva Cockcroft
Online Source: https://art.metro.net/artworks/compton-past-present-and-future/ 

    In the murals by Eva Cockcroft, the artist depicts various ethnic groups that have shaped the Compton community. This included African-American, Latino, and Samoan populations.“Eva Cockcroft’s ceramic tile murals examine the Compton area’s past, present, and future, with particular emphasis on the arrival of the various ethnic groups (African American, Latino, and Samoan) that have contributed to the character of the city.” (art.metro.net) 



“Twelve panels mounted above the platform benches examine the historical and contemporary life of the city, while two triangular tiled columns emphasize family life and are captioned with thoughts of today’s Compton residents and their hopes for the future." As mentioned on the Metro Art website, this artwork on themes, "Twelve panels mounted above the platform benches examine the historical and contemporary life of the city, while two triangular tiled columns emphasize family life and are captioned with thoughts of today’s Compton residents and their hopes for the future." This conveys the themes of perseverance and community among the people represented. The histories of those are not represented in history books as much as others, or at all. “The history books are filled with the stories of kings, generals, and geniuses," Cockcroft says in another quote.
     
The identities of the working class are represented in the artwork here. As mentioned in a quote from the artist, "My work celebrates the ordinary people ignored by the books, without whose convictions and courage no progress is possible.” 
    
    Within these panels, there are many cultural references to the community's diverse cultures. In Metro's description of each panel, it outlines the cultural details, both past and present, as well as the hopeful future depicted in the murals.
    "Panel 1 presents the Indian, Spanish, and Mestizo contributions. With a Mayan pyramid in the background, the Spanish soldier Juan Jose Dominguez leaves Mexico for California in 1769. In 1782, he was granted 75,000 acres south of Los Angeles, including the present site of Compton. A Mestiza woman and child stand in front of the Dominguez adobe. Panel 2 shows contemporary students/future leaders in front of Compton College.  Panel 3 honors the contribution of the Samoan community–the largest such population in Los Angeles–to the life of the city. Panel 4 alludes to Compton’s importance in the economic life of Southern California and features the Ambrose & Shepard General Store circa 1890, the common market of the 1920’s, and the site of Compton Mall today. Panel 5, The Children are Our Future, represents a grandmother with two children in front of the Catherine Street School; the companion panel shows a father playing with his daughter in their backyard. Panel 6 documents the first African American families who settled in Compton in the 1950’s with images inspired by the great African American artist Jacob Lawrence." (metroart.net)

In terms of condition and origin, the artwork shows surprisingly little weathering or deterioration compared to pictures online. Since the Metro Art Department seems to be the one that funded this artwork, since it is on their property, maintenance seems to be a priority for them. When I visited the artwork I couldn't find any markings with the artist other than this on this one with the artist and student volunteers on the right side in yellow:
    I believe that this artwork heavily represents the community in a unique way. As mentioned before, it showcases the lives of the people you don't hear in history books, the ordinary people. It's not marketing a business or a brand, but rather marketing the possibility and promise of a brighter future for those within the community and the community itself.

    In this case, the Metro Art Department, and it pertains only to their transit stations. I feel like it is underrepresented, but it is just due to its environment. It is in a spot where people are not around for long and are not necessarily seeking art at that moment. For some, it is the daily background of their lives.

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