In newly commissioned works, artist Christine Wong Yap seeks to highlight the sense of belonging that many patrons of the Los Angeles Public Library get from their participation in library-based clubs and regular programs, both online and in person. Seven original banners represent groups or communities that meet at a library branch, with the name of the group on the front and a representative quote from a participant on the back.

Celebrated for her work in social practice and positive psychology, Bay Area-based artist Christine Wong Yap is known for deeply felt and thought-provoking textiles, publications, flags, billboards, and prints that utilize calligraphy and inclusive design to explore ideas around belonging and its relationship to mental health and well-being. Here, Yap brings the experiences of library-based communities to light, allowing space for reflection on the intangible benefits of being part of a community.

• christinewongyap.com
• instagram/christinewongyap

These works have been commissioned in collaboration with Wellcome Trust as part of Mindscapes, Wellcome’s international cultural program about mental health, with exhibitions, programs, and conversations that took place throughout 2022 in New York City, Berlin, Tokyo, and Bengaluru, India.