Middlebrook’s artwork explores connections between diverse populations and between humans and the earth. His images of human portraits interspersed with the earth reminds viewers of our shared planet, which is the unifying element in many panels.

In some panels, the earth appears as an offering, held out for the viewer by two female hands. In others it rotates around figures, then disappears from the picture plane. Embodying the theme of connectivity, the bold color palette echoes the stained glass windows at West Angeles Church of God in Christ, which is visible from the station platform.

Artist Statement

“My goal is to make art that speaks to us about how we relate to each other, life, love and our relationship to the environment.”

About the Artist

WILLIE MIDDLEBROOK was raised in Compton, CA and received his Associate of Arts degree from Compton Community College. He received numerous awards including two Visual Artist Fellowships in photography from the National Endowment for the Arts as well as a Getty Trust Visual Artist Fellowship and a Brody Individual Artist Fellowship from the California Community Foundation. His work has been exhibited throughout the country including the Studio Museum of Harlem, Art Institute of Chicago, Atlanta Contemporary Art Center, Cleveland Museum of Art and the California African-American Museum. Middlebrook was well known for his uniquely improvisational “photo-painting” portraits which he considered a collaboration between those he photographed and himself. Up until his death in 2012, he described his work as speaking to and about his community, “not necessarily in a positive light but always in a true light.”

Display Year: 2012-