Skip to Content

Gil Veni Vici is a designer, model, and artist from the city of El Sereno. He recently collaborated with 17 photographers including Estevan Oriol, Spanto, Adri Law, and Steve Olson to illuminate the visual culture of his neighborhood roots. The show is called East Side Story and it opened at HVW8 Gallery last week. We wanted to learn more, so we hit Gil with a little Q&A which you can read below, along with images from the opening of his show...

What's your favorite taco?
My favorite place to get a taco is in my hometown, El Sereno. Street vendors...

How do you think the culture of East LA has impacted the world?
We impact the world though different stuff like low riders, Mexican restaurants, movies based on East Los Angeles.

2b2a2907

Where do you go when you seek peace and quiet?
I don't seek peace and quiet, I grew up in El Sereno.

What is the concept of East Side Story?
I wanted to represent for my culture and the city of Los Angles to hopefully take myself to the next level.

What is the most beautiful thing in the world?
My family and friends.

When and where were you most happy?
I'm always very happy and thankful God gave me the opportunity to do this with my life.

2b2a2885_cb

Do you have a lucky number?
69

Who are some of the inspirational figures in your life?
NEEK (anti social social club).

2b2a3012_cb

What should they play at your funeral?
Don't play weird shit. Classic music, that's here forever.

Got any shoutouts?
ALL THE HOMIES IN LOS ANGELES

Photos by Eric Minh Swenson

Stay in touch

Sign up for our free newsletter

More from L.A. TACO

Baekjeong KBBQ Brings Its Star Galbi Back to Koreatown

While a pop-up in East Hollywood offers Nigerian and Kenyan influences in dishes like rosemary lamb suya and short rib biriyani, and Anthony Anderson and Cedric the Entertainer bring brisket to an L.A. mall.

May 9, 2025

City of L.A. Quietly Abandons Plans To Expand Electric Car Share Program To South L.A.

BlueLA shut down last month after the city received a multi-million dollar grant to expand the car share service into South Los Angeles.

The Original Pantry Cafe Lives Again at This East Los Taquería

If you ever dreamed of having Original Pantry's breakfast with a full salsa bar on the side, your dreams have just come true. This East L.A. taquería is giving a new home to Original Pantry Cafe workers after the century-old diner’s lamented closure.

The Seven Best Tacos in Azusa

In Azusa, you'll mostly find CalMex and the simple joy of traditional taquería fare. But there are a few glorious outliers involving mole negro, fried quesadillas, and stewed spicy pork leg. Here's where to go.

Little Tokyo’s Japanese American National Museum Stood Up For DEI, Then Lost Funding

Like many museums across the country, JANM has recently been targeted by the Trump administration. After receiving a letter saying that their programs do not align with the current administration’s goals, their funding was cut by $1.7 million (with an additional $5 million still in limbo). 

See all posts