On Saturday, July 11, L.A. Louver artist Gajin Fujita celebrated the Centennial of the Los Angeles Public Library with the unveiling of his newest painting, 100 Years L.A. Central Library.
Fujita presented his commissioned work to City Librarian John F. Szabo and joined the library in an exciting and historic day of celebration. As a native Angeleno himself, Fujita's work reflects on fond memories of the library as a landmark of education, community and inspiration.
Fujita's painting revisits the beloved character Kintarō, or "Golden Boy," that was featured in his 2019 artwork for the L.A. Public Library's special edition art card. The figure raises a baseball bat in homage to L.A. Dodger Freddie Freeman's iconic walk-off home run in the 2024 World Series, serving as Fujita's interpretation of Los Angeles' resilience, pride, and spirit that the Central Library also embodies.
Fujita honors the library as a place of inclusion, a place where he has always felt welcome. His "LAPL" tag shouts out the library, along with the golden rays of the "light of learning" that the L.A. Public Library has endowed upon the city for generations.
Following the unveiling, Fujita was invited to participate in an artist meet and greet, where he engaged with visitors and signed souvenir bookmarks and limited edition Library Store merchandise bearing the image of 100 Years L.A. Central Library.
Fujita is thankful to be part of the Los Angeles Public Library Foundation family and hopes 100 Years L.A. Central Library inspires others to celebrate and support the Library's commitment to sharing knowledge with the community.
“I just hope in another hundred years, people will be able to look back and celebrate my work and the library.”
- Gajin Fujita