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

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LOS ANGELES RIVER SERIES #52

John Kosta • September 9, 2020

Los Angeles River #52

Nocturne Metro Building

Near City Hall

Oil on Canvas 24"x18”x1.5

La River Series: #52 (2019)

“Night is not something to endure until dawn. It is its own kingdom, it moves to its own laws and many living things dwell in it.” -- Patricia A. McKill

Adjacent to the Los Angeles River, four blocks north of city hall, the LA Metro Building is the headquarters for the Metropolitan Transit Authority. Abundantly lit at night, Metro building reflections can be seen in the river after winter rains have drained and puddles form that mirror the colors of the night. City lights cast departing storm clouds in pastels of olive green, pink and purple with towering high-tension structures marching into the distance like alien beings. 

Capturing such moments for reference and then onto canvas in a compelling manner can be daunting; timing visits to the river for those moments when lighting and weather conditions are just right. Traffic, weather, time-of-day and seasons all affect the appearance of the river and viewing the same scene just hours apart creates an entirely different world. 

In Los Angeles River # 52, Nocturne Metro Building, an evening at an urbanized river becomes an isolated place filled with unique beauty and its own inhabitants, both living and imaginary.

If you are interested in this painting, you can view more details 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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