Project Description

Moses X Ball’s inspiration for his design of the platform artwork is driven by his experiences growing up in South Central Los Angeles and riding public transit to visit the museums along Wilshire Boulevard at a young age. During those visits, he was often struck by the lack of diversity represented on the walls of cultural institutions. For this artwork, Ball will portray people from different cultures and with different abilities who have a connection to the Westwood area. The portraits will be accompanied by  symbols representing cultural identity and personal stories.

Artist Statement

“I decided to take the Purple Line to ride and observe and . . .  be. In that train I felt a sense of comfort. As I rode, I observed the other passengers. I saw diverse ethnicities, various ages, classes and those with special needs or differing capabilities. I knew that I wanted my piece to represent them all. . .I wanted to see every day people represented on these large public walls.”

In the Community

In conjunction with the station artwork, Ball held an event with professional photographer Andreas Branch to photograph individuals, groups and families for portraits he would select from to develop paintings. These paintings will become part of the final artwork for the station.

About the Artist

MOSES X BALL (b. 1977, Los Angeles) aims to inspire communities and uplift the heroism of everyday people through his colorful and boldly rendered murals and mosaics. He is particularly committed to the South Central Los Angeles area where he grew up; his Heart of Hyde Park mural in the Crenshaw District and Gateway to Greatness mural in Exposition Park are among his best-known public artworks. Ball has partnered with corporations, sports teams, nonprofit organizations, and schools across the country to create positive impact through public art and community outreach. He earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts from School of the Art Institute of Chicago in 2001. In 2021, he was chosen as one of the inaugural artists to participate in “In the Paint,” a competitive fine art program launched by the LA Lakers to recognize and support the BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color) artist community in Los Angeles. 

Location: Westwood/UCLA