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

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LOS ANGELES RIVER SERIES #33

John Kosta • September 19, 2021

Los Angeles River Series #33

Sotto Street Bridge

Vernon

Acrylic on Canvas  30” x 30” x 1.5”

An image of California artist John Kosta's painting entitled Los Angeles River #22.
Los Angeles River Series #32 (2021)

The Sotto Street Bridge originally built in 1928 in the highly industrialized city of Vernon is approximately two miles south and east of the downtown LA city center. Compared to the enormous city of Los Angeles, the city of Vernon is absolutely tiny. Where as Los Angeles occupies over 500 square miles and has a population of over four million, Vernon a mere five square miles and has an almost nonexistent population of roughly 130 people. The population is so small that some have accused city politicians of housing homeless people within the city limits in a bid to solicit precious votes. Yet for its small size and negligible population it packs a very powerful economic punch employing over 50,000 people in its numerous factories, food processing plants and other businesses.


Los Angeles River painting “Soto Street Bridge with Los Angeles Skyline” casts new light on this scruffy and highly industrialized part of the river where the concrete vertical walls, depicted in olive green and dark blue, begin their gradual shift to sloped concrete embankments and where a flat river bottom after a light winter rain reflects an industrialized city sunsets in hues of pink, orange, and purple.

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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