Community Spotlight: Lili Lakich
Situated between breweries and coffee shops, sits a 5,000 square foot building with a sheet metal facade. Above the entrance is a depiction of the Mona Lisa lit up with neon lights. This is Lili Lakich’s art studio. Inside soft hums of neon bulbs reverberate through the room. In the corner, Bongo, Lili’s dog, lets out a relaxed sign as he shifts in his bed. The space is shrouded in darkness with only the bright neon lights splashed against the walls, illuminating every few feet. The studio, which sits on Traction Avenue, has witnessed the creation of dozens of iconic works of neon art over the past several decades.
Lili moved to Los Angeles in the 1968, first drawn to the city’s vibrant displays of contemporary and modern aesthetics that matched her artistic spirit. She found that LA’s rich diversity of cultures was unmatched by any other city she had lived in before. The city’s blend of influences provided her a nurturing environment to fuel her creativity.
Inspiration for Lili’s works varies widely, as she draws from politics, music, and her personal life. Currently, she is working on a series of sculptures inspired by the delicate butterflies she noticed on a piece of wrapping paper. Her artistic process starts on the drawing board, where she sketches her design, allowing her ideas to take shape. Once satisfied with the initial concept, she uses a projector to adjust the scale and proportions of the piece, ensuring that the details align with her vision.
Tube-by-tube, her creations come to life. Among all her works, her favorite is Blessed Oblivion (1975), an introspective portrayal of her tombstone. The composition was nearly complete, but it wasn’t until the final moments when inspiration struck that led to her adding a bouquet of flowers.
Lili’s studio doubles-up as a classroom for neon artists. Teaching has been an enlightening experience for her. “I learn stuff from them all the time. My students are not artists. I learned things I would not have thought of. I want to pass on the art of neon.”
When Lili moved to Los Angeles, it was a time when women were denied the ability to apply for loans or accumulate credit. Lili was able to purchase her building, thanks to the support of her friend. It was incredibly rare for a female artist to own a space in this neighborhood when she moved here. Her success in securing her space defied standard conventions and enabled her to create and thrive in an environment hostile to women.
This summer, Lili’s space has recently been the venue of her 80th birthday party, where she celebrated with friends and family. Learn more about Lili’s art, her studio, and her classes at Lakich.com
