Bay Area Art Installation Celebrates Food Growers, Preparers And Sharers

REDWOOD CITY, CA — Three artists from San José State University have collaborated on an art installation in Redwood City that is open to the public until Nov. 13 and acknowledges and thanks all those involved in cultivating, preparing, and sharing food — from farmers and farm workers to market vendors and restaurant employees.

Created by San José State University artists Elisabeth Koss, Ari Granados and Laura Rubin, the work is a collaborative effort developed under the Fung Collaboratives initiative.

“Working as a team was all about respecting each person’s style. We split the installation into three walls, each of us designing a stage of the food journey,” Koss told Patch.

Presented in a striking black-and-white comic-book style, the “Food for Thought” installation, located at 2208 Broadway St., offers a dynamic visual narrative.

“It’s remarkable how just a few black lines on a white surface can make something stand out starkly,” Granados told Patch. “We wanted our own message to stand out in a similar fashion, and there is a good juxtaposition between the visual simplicity of a black and white cartoon versus the complexity and problems that exist around food.”

It simultaneously acts as both an artistic statement and an activist piece, honoring the unseen hands and everyday heroes behind every meal.

“Food for Thought” draws attention to the persistent issues of food insecurity and the often-overlooked struggles of agricultural workers, who frequently endure long hours, significant physical demands and low wages.

The installation's material composition is poignant, using real food cans as a visual metaphor for nourishment and community. These cans will be donated to a local food bank after the exhibition, serving as a tangible contribution.

“Canned goods are often overlooked or seen as “lesser” than fresh food, but they can be a lifeline for many people. Canned food helps many families, especially in tough times, and it deserves respect, not stigma,” Koss told Patch.

“Food for Thought” combines thoughtful illustration, symbolic materials and community engagement to encourage visitors to consider the origins of their food, the people involved in its production, and how we can collectively promote care, equity, and dignity within our food systems.

“We hope that visitors walk away from Food for Thought with a deeper sense of awareness and care for the people behind our meals,” Rubin told Patch. “The piece is both a tribute and a reminder that there is real labor, real struggle, and real humanity in every step of the food system.”

More than just a visual experience, it serves as a powerful call to awareness and action, inspiring gratitude for those who provide us with nourishment.

“Our call to action is simple: reflect, and then act,” Rubin told Patch. “Whether that means learning more about the challenges farmworkers face, supporting local food banks, or just approaching meals with a little more gratitude, it all matters.”

The Redwood City Improvement Association continues its commitment to enhancing the city's public art scene and promoting community engagement through this exhibition.