"Obviously her winning gold was the main factor in his choosing to paint Liu, Zermeño said. But once the Mexican-American artist learned more about the Chinese-American skater, he found inspiration in other aspects of her life as well. That includes the Oakland native's two-year retirement from the sport starting at age 16, her enrollment at UCLA and her decision to express herself in her own way."
"She's first-generation American, just like myself. So I feel like that tie, her going to UCLA, her stopping skating for awhile and then jumping back in and more being herself - you know, growing up in Venice, I feel like that's what kind of made me an artist. Venice allowed me to be myself, be wacky on the boardwalk, artists, performers, stuff like that."
"So I feel like there were a lot of connections beyond her just winning the gold medal. But ultimately, I think she just deserves her flowers, man. She accomplished something, and I feel like her personality is what's really garnering all this support from people."
Alysa Liu, a 20-year-old U.S. figure skater, won gold medals at the Milan-Cortina Olympics in both women's singles and team events, marking the first American woman to achieve this feat since 2002. Artist Gustavo Zermeño Jr. created a mural in Gardena honoring Liu's achievement, capturing her at the medal ceremony with her distinctive smiley piercing. Zermeño was inspired not only by Liu's Olympic success but also by her personal journey, including her two-year retirement at age 16, UCLA enrollment, and authentic self-expression. As a fellow first-generation American, Zermeño connected with Liu's story of personal growth and resilience, believing her personality and accomplishments deserve recognition.
Read at Los Angeles Times
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