Aviation and Transportation

Grace Clements

Possibly the most stylistically progressive of all the Southern California art projects, this fairly abstract designs cover the 4,300′ sp. concourse, stair landings and second floor former restaurant entry. The mosaics depict Long Beach’s economy: Oil, Aviation, Shipping and Communications. The City Seal and a huge map of the western hemisphere depicting aviation routes are prominently placed. Interspersed are creatures of sea, air and land like schools of fish, fishnets, and seagulls. The abstract style suited the new Streamline Moderne airport designed by Horace Austin and Kenneth Wing. Possible inspiration for the art came from the Newark Airport’s abstract mural by Arshile Gorky in 1937. James Brooks had also made headlines with his pieces in the new La Guardia Airport. Gorky’s design was perhaps most influential with its global theme, map and abstract representations of astrological signs.