Los Angeles artist Adam Matano’s new sculpture of the famed mountain lion P‑22 is set to be installed at the Griffith Park Visitors Center on Thursday, September 10, 2026. The work, titled “Earth to City: Rhapsody of the Wild King,” will occupy a public space within the park and is intended to honor the iconic animal.
The statue represents a collaboration between a local creator and a well‑known symbol of the region’s wildlife. Matano, who lives and works in Los Angeles, designed the piece specifically for display at the Griffith Park Visitors Center, a hub for park guests and a venue for public art. The title of the sculpture suggests a dialogue between the natural environment and the urban setting that surrounds the park.
The installation will be placed in a visible area of the Visitors Center, allowing park visitors to encounter the work as part of their routine experience of the park. By situating the sculpture in a public setting, the project aims to keep the memory of P‑22 present within the community that has followed the mountain lion’s story.
The announcement of the statue’s debut was made on September 10, 2026, confirming that the piece will join the park’s existing landscape of cultural and natural attractions. The timing of the installation aligns with ongoing efforts to celebrate local wildlife through artistic expression.
Matano’s contribution adds a new dimension to Griffith Park’s role as a gathering place for residents and tourists alike. The “Earth to City: Rhapsody of the Wild King” statue offers a tangible reminder of the connection between Los Angeles’s urban environment and the wildlife that roams its surrounding hills.
The public unveiling of the sculpture is scheduled for the same day as the installation, marking a moment for the community to view the work and reflect on the legacy of P‑22 within the city’s cultural fabric.