Kosta solo exhibition at Hilbert Museum - March 22-August 9, 25.  Learn More

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LOS ANGELES RIVER SERIES #51

John Kosta • September 29, 2021

Los Angeles River Series #51

Warner Brothers Back Lot

Studio City

Oil on Canvas  24” x 18” x 1.5”

An image of California artist John Kosta's painting entitled Los Angeles River #51.
Los Angeles River Series 51 (2021)

 Painting 51 depicts the Warner Brothers Studios back lot located directly adjacent to the banks of the Los Angeles River. Visible in this painting are old vehicles, parked catering trucks, and the costume warehouse to the left in the distance. 

In this area of the San Fernando Valley, the Los Angeles River appears particularly manufactured, sterile and artificial. How appropriate that Los Angeles, a city known for its entertainment industry of perfect bodies and wrinkle-free face lifts would have its namesake river artificially formed into characterless smooth-bottomed concrete ribbons.

Even so, in this maligned, mostly forgotten engineered state, the Los Angeles River still seems to show a distinctive beauty capturing LA’s silvery light, its sunshine, shadows and architecture. My purpose in painting this series is to showcase this hidden beauty and perhaps build support for the meaningful revitalization of this important urban resource.

If you are interested in this painting, you may like others that are available in the Store. If you would like to learn more about the City of Los Angeles' River Project, explore the links below.


More on the Los Angeles Revitalization Project

The official website for this tremendous undertaking by the City of Los Angeles.

An interactive map that highlights a number of the developments planned and occurring along the Los Angeles River.

Home of the Los Angles River Project, an organization dedicated to restoring the vital ecosystem along the river.


Artist John Kosta in front of one of his painting from
By Editor March 3, 2025
Hilbert Museum hosting a solo exhibition of Kosta's 'The Los Angeles River -- An Unexpected Beauty'. This is the largest collection of the artist's work to be exhibited to date, allowing a unique opportunity to experience the full breadth of this thoughtful substantial fine art series.
September 21, 2024
Artist John Kosta's "The LA River: An Unexpected Beauty" will be on display at the Square i Gallery from October 5 to 26, 2024. Most of these LA River paintings have never been exhibited before.
Artist John Kosta's painting entitled 'LA River Painting 85'.
August 8, 2024
Artist John Kosta's 'LA River 85' showing at TAG Gallery. Artist's Reception on Saturday August 3rd from 4pm to 8pm.
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