#TLTogether with Neighborhood Artist Tan Sirinumas

The #TLTogether series highlights the incredible people who are part of the Tenderloin’s diverse community.

Meet Tan Sirinumas. Originally from Thailand, Tan has lived in the Tenderloin for ten years. “The reason I love the Tenderloin is because it is my home.” He reflects on the diversity of food and people with appreciation, and really comes to life talking about the buildings in the Tenderloin, which inspired the work gracing several of the new trashcans in the neighborhood as part of the TLCBD’s Tenderloin Bigbelly Neighborhood-Wide Expansion project.

“I’m fascinated by the buildings in the Tenderloin — the architectural design from the Golden Age of the Tenderloin to present day. There’s beauty in the buildings we walk past all the time, that sometimes get overlooked because we are in a hurry.”

Tan is with out a doubt, one of the Tenderloin’s go-to artists. He’s honed his craft as part of the Hospitality House’s Community Arts Program*. The Faithful Fools commissioned a large piece to grace the entrance of their meeting space. Last year, he made the tree topper for the Tenderloin Peoples’ Holiday Tree in Boeddeker Park.

“I like to present a friendly reminder that we live in a beautiful place. Yes, there are challenges. But if you spend time, and take a little longer, you will see what I see and start to appreciate the neighborhood.

By sharing and connecting people, hopefully the beauty will start to grow on you…little by little.”

Watch and listen to Tan in his own words, as part of this video produced by filmmaker Matthew Joseph Bunker. You can also follow Tan and his upcoming projects on his website and Instagram page.

*If you missed the annual art auction last week, it’s not too late to be a Hero for artists. 

Find more TLTogether features here.