BELLEVUE east rail project

Brushed aluminum handrails & printed mural

Designed by Lauren Iida

Commissioned by Edquist Davis Exhibits, Inc. with guidance from The Japanese American Bellevue Legacy Project
Wilburton East Rail Station, Bellevue, Washington
Currently in fabrication, installation expected late 2023

Cut paper prototypes for cut metal handrails feature cherry blossoms and tree stumps honoring the hardworking Japanese who cleared the area for farming and cultivated it.

Each cut panel handrail is 7.5 x 4 feet

This two-part commission consists of custom-designed cut aluminum handrails and a printed mural, entitled “Harvesting Hope,” both developed from Lauren Iida’s paper-cut motifs. This project honors the Japanese American agricultural workers who played a historically important role in the cultivation of this land.

The project was managed by EDX to be permanently publicly featured at a new mixed use zone under the Wilburton Light Rail station in Bellevue, Washington (installation expected late 2023).

“Harvesting Hope” cut paper prototype for printed mural by Lauren Iida honors Japanese American farmers in the Bellevue, Washington area

The mural will be permanently installed and is 15.5 x 6 feet.

Surrounding panels feature Lawrence Matsuda’s poetry.