Patrick Martinez absorbs the landscape of his hometown Los Angeles. Murals on liquor stores, LED signs on tacos trucks, graffiti and neon signs found in pawn shops, money services, locksmiths, and realtors were particularly influential in his work for the Triennial. 

Inspired by “the overlooked beauty found in the city” and conversations at Breaktime, an organization dedicated to ending the cycle of homelessness among young adults, Martinez’s project illuminates the words and conditions of young adult homelessness. The artist created a series of signs that can be seen here and in another Downtown Crossing location through an active exchange of experiences with Breaktime Associates, youth participating in a three-year employment program. 

The pieces, with phrases like “people over property,” operate as warning signs and reminders delivered in a familiar small business aesthetic. The bright signage and provocative text compel the passerby to stop for a moment and take notice of stories that too often remain in the shadows. Cost of Living serves as a platform to raise awareness, foster empathy, and promote understanding of the challenges unhoused youth face by elevating their voices and experiences through art. 

Learn more about Breaktime at www.breaktime.org.