Ako Castuera: Steelhead Trout

Steelhead Trout
Steelhead Trout were abundant in the rivers before European settlement, and may once again return to the LA river “provided we act now to remove barriers to steelhead recovery” 
Red clay treasure box with soft green accents

A series of miniature ceramic boxes by Ako Castuera, featuring plant and animal kin of Payme Paxaayt, the LA River.
The currents are slower in Elysian Valley, where the soft-bottom section of the LA river supports an abundance of life: Herons and Egrets carry our breath away on their wings, the ambient blanket of frog song fills a warm night, and among the marsh grasses, we may live to see Steelhead trout swim upstream again. Meanwhile, Coyote is always at home, slipping past clean angles of the expensive new developments that are a blip on the timeline of Native sages and sunflowers.

The river life featured on these 10 miniature boxes celebrate Clockshop’s location and  the place-based relationships that anchor their work. Built and fired less than a mile down the river path at Sooki Studio, the boxes were made with a clay body sourced from Southern California, with blue-green glazed interiors that recall the river currents. Each box is signed with the artist’s stamp, and includes a small pouch of Narrow-Leaf Milkweed seeds to support Monarch butterfly migration, or California Poppy seeds, icons at home for Angelenos. 

Your order will include one of the two Steelhead Trout boxes. We do not ship this item internationally.
Please choose the local pickup option if you’re able, due to the item’s fragility.