Conceived and painted during and after the pandemic, Self Portrait of a City carries an added weight, emerging amidst significant social and economic upheaval. The pandemic intensified the urgency of addressing homelessness and housing insecurity, which deepened the resonance of the mural's message. The work reflects the personal connection of the artists' - all LA natives - to the city, while offering a broader commentary on the systems creating and addressing homelessness. It is both a literal and figurative self-portrait, where the mural cannot exist without the campus, and the campus cannot exist without the crisis. The title evokes the larger urban ecosystem, where every part of the city is interconnected, providing meaningful context for the mural's themes. The title is inspired by Charles Mingus' Ah Um track, "Self Portrait in Three Colors," the mural serves as both a snapshot of LA and a commentary on the housing crisis, gentrification, and the city's response in the wake of the pandemic. It examines how the city - shaped by property owners, politicians, and residents - has become a space where nature and urban life collide, with both displacement and resilience at its core. The work also becomes a meditation on the artist's role in these complex issues, alongside a testament to their commitment to creating collaborative works that serve the community. The mural incorporates representations of native flora and fauna, as well as the mountains, oceans, and deserts of Southern California. These elements serve to remind residents and viewers of the healing power of nature, which is accessible just outside the city, offering a sense of calm and perspective amid urban life. The geometric shapes in the design reflect celestial movements, evoking the cyclical nature of life and the larger forces beyond the city's immediate struggles.

3B Collective (est. 2016, Los Angeles) is a multidisciplinary collective of artists, educators, curators, and designers whose work centers on the intersection of public art, community storytelling, and social equity. Originating from shared experiences as children of first-generation immigrant parents, the collective seeks to address the erasure of cultural narratives and create permanent artworks that honor community histories. Through murals, installations, and participatory projects, their work fosters a sense of belonging and celebrates the role of public art in placemaking. Utilizing diverse media, including digital murals, large-scale paintings, and collaborative installations, 3B Collective emphasizes accessibility in the arts by addressing social inequalities, sharing resources, and providing mentorship for BIPOC artists. Their public projects include the *Hilda Solis Care First Village* in Los Angeles (2023–2024), the *Ganesha Bandshell* in Pomona (2023), and the *Visual Arts Facility Mural* at the University of California, San Diego (2022). The collective's work has been exhibited in prominent venues such as The Craft Contemporary (*Highway Hypnosis*, 2024), The California Museum (*Arte Activista*, 2023), and Plaza de Cultura y Arte (*Patriotism and Conflict*, 2021–2022). Additional exhibitions include *Byways & Highways* at Residency Gallery, Inglewood (2021), and *By Way Of* at Best Practice Gallery, San Diego (2021).