“Tenacity. Power. Protection. Strength. When prompted to “Imagine a greener future for Chinatown,” I immediately gravitated towards the image of a tiger, an animal imbued with powerful qualities in Asian culture, to represent the community.

This mural is both a homage to Chinatown’s history and a wish for the future. The trees and waves, a homage. Built atop what was once a beach, then a highway, our trees are not meant grow tall, yet the people, the hardy immigrants who settled and called this district their home, sprung their roots, creating a community that is both vibrant and alive. The chrysanthemums and grass bursting through the pavement, a wish. A wish not just for survival, but longevity and the persistence of life despite increasingly suffocating circumstances.

I hope that this mural can inspire its viewers to learn more about Chinatown’s story and feel just a fraction of the community’s determination and strength.”