A series of 10 oil paintings incorporating images of Chinatown landmarks is on display at the Los Angeles Chinatown Heritage Center.
Created by Mai Diep Lawrence, a Chinese American artist, "Chinatown, L.A." combines familiar landmarks, sculptures and the plaza with washes of the light blues and yellows associated with Southern California.
Lawrence began painting the works after a 1993 visit to China, where she was struck by how much traditional art and architecture had been destroyed during the Cultural Revolution.
"That is when I started to pay attention to Chinese culture," Lawrence said as she gave a tour of her paintings.
Lawrence has donated the pieces to the heritage center, located in a 120-year-old house at 411 Bernard St. in Chinatown. The works will be auctioned on Sunday, with proceeds going to the center. Information: (213) 222-1918.
