Project Description

Pinkney repainted Washington Station in a bright color scheme: red, blue, yellow and green. Contributing to the excitement and energy of the station is Running for the Blue Line, a group of three metal cut out figures that gives the work its name and captures the hard-working spirit of this industrial community. A series of brightly painted metal cut-out steel panels with cut out patterns are attached to the fences on either side of the tracks. Looking at the patterns one might discover faces, a dragon, an African mask and other cultural symbols. Other elements in the work include modifications to the station entry marker emphasizing the new color scheme and a series of colorful banners.

Artist Statement

“The Washington Station now wears a variety of colors to give it new meaning and purpose. Located in a highly grey, industrial section, the station now serves as a colorful island and a beacon in the community.”

About the Artist

ELLIOTT PINKNEY  (b. 1934, Brunswick, Georgia; d. 2019, Los Angeles)  lived and worked in the city of Compton.  Pinkney, an accomplished artist who worked in a variety of media as a printmaker, muralist and sculptor, centered his work around color experimentation. His high school teachers encouraged him to pursue a career in the arts. He moved to California and received a Bachelor of Arts with honors from Woodbury University. He completed several murals in Compton and Los Angeles, as well as public commissions from SPARC, the Los Angeles Cultural Affairs Department, the Los Angeles City Library, and the Los Angeles County Health Services.