DOWNEY — Through a grant funded by the California Arts Council to the Rancho Los Amigos Foundation, Los Angeles based artist Hataya Tubtim has been leading artistic workshops over the past year for patients at Rancho Los Amigos National Rehabilitation Center. 

These workshops aimed to bring the power of art and expression to the Rancho campus through a series of collaborative efforts, which culminated in a three-dimensional art installation that is currently on display at Rancho.

To create this art expression, Ms. Tubtim, along with fellow artist Carlos Benavides, recruited Rancho patients to work collaboratively to envision and design the art installation that they titled, “Love and Kindness.”

This spectacular art piece is a physical representation of the journey one goes through when faced with a life changing injury or illness. It is broken into two sections with one side showing the darkness, depression, and loneliness faced when recovering from such a traumatic experience and the other side shows the kindness, love, and compassion of those who help you to return to some sense of normalcy. This duality is one that many can relate to given the last year and a half of living through a global pandemic.

When looking at the left side of the art installation, you will see a landscape of bright flowers, blue skies, and lush foliage. There stands a figure who offers their heart towards the figure on the right who sits behind a brick wall in isolation.

The ‘loving’ figure is painted in bright colors and is adorned with symbols that represent its love, creativity, and freedom. Though the figure shows signs of physical wear on its body, represented by a leg brace, it continues to exude positivity and healing.

In contrast, the ‘lonely’ figure on the right is painted in neutral colors with symbols of heartbreak, despair, and shame. The figure sits surrounded by images of past joys that have become distant memories. Both scenes contain painted river rocks that offer messages of love and kindness from dozens of Rancho community members including friends, family, and staff.

Colton Bryant, one of the artists involved in creating the piece said, “participating in this project has opened up my mind to where I’m at in life. I loved seeing people come together in one accord, working together with the same mind, and then bringing their creativity forth to create this wonderful work of art.”

In an effort to make the artwork more accessible to the community, a dedicated webpage has been created to showcase the project, the artists involved, and the inspiration behind it. Simply visit www.RanchoFoundation.org/CAC to view the virtual gallery and to learn more.

For more information about the programs and services funded by the Rancho Los Amigos Foundation or to make a donation, please call (562) 385-7053 or go to www.RanchoFoundation.org