Temporary Public Art Commissions
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2021Mixed Media (including photo collage, acrylic, oil, fabric, text digitally scanned and printed on 4” by 8” metal dibond)
Artist Dominique Moody partnered with LA Commons to produce the project. Dominique’s vision through WE RISE was to collaborate with artists and community members in creating something larger than any of us could manifest and give voice to, on our own. As an assemblage artist, she creates three-dimensionally, so she wanted to bring that element to the collaboration in the form of silhouettes, both at the top of each panel as a roofline and as the cutout figures. These ideas led to the concept of the Story Portraits for WE RISE.
LA Commons worked with neighborhood stakeholders to organize story circles in each neighborhood. The narratives from these story circles were shared with nine local visual artists—from portrait painters to muralists—who collaborated with lead artist Dominique Moody, the project photographer and poet to create multi-layered, multi-dimensional life-sized portraits inspired by the storytellers. Fabricated for an outdoor public setting, the community artworks were located in the respective communities in which the storytellers reside, with the full series on view outside of the California African American Museum.
Photo Credits: Halline Overby
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2022When WE RISE 2022: BY US, FOR US, commissioned me to create an artwork for Grand Park to celebrate Mental Health Awareness Month. The composition required deep thought and compassion to bring together a multitude of visually layered symbolism to narrate our culturally rich and diverse communities and landscape.
The composition is a triptych: the panels symbolize our past, present, and future—no panel is complete without the other. We have a layered history, so our hands represent a spectrum of human diversity and convey the compassion that, when shared, will continue to shape a vibrant city.
The silhouette of the tree represents life and family rooted in the land that is known by the Tongva as Turtle Island. The plants and flowers are symbols reminding us that our land is abundant with healing flora, nourishing food, and the wisdom of the fauna. It is only when we respect and nurture our planet that we are able to create our next healthier and happier LA for all.
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2024Large Structure: 48” W x 97”L x 67”H
Small Structure: 36”D x 37” W x 77”H
Salvaged Wood pallets, aluminum tubing and hardware, jute twine, metal found objects vintage wheels and keys, door knob shields, hardware, metallic patina and paints, custom stencils, willow reeds.
“Home Dwells Within Us”, is what my Mom used to tell my siblings and me when we were moving from place to place—reassuring us that wherever we resided our sense of home went with us.
As an assemblage artist when I walk through L.A., discarded objects call to me. Industrial salvage, shed belongings and natural cast-offs may be considered waste by many, but I find a peculiar beauty in the hidden potential usefulness still within them. In this piece, “AT HOME: In the LAndscape” my desire was to assemble these objects into art that expresses the deeper stories of how we individually and collectively think of “HOME”.
I was inspired by reclaimed wood pallets, industrial metal vintage wheels, natural reeds and an eclectic mix of found metal objects to create a mobile silhouette of “HOME”. Creating a dimensional lined structure that pops up in the landscape without intruding on the view.
The base of the piece reflects the diversity of L.A. by incorporating the word “HOME” in various languages. It is my hope that these simple structures will draw people’s attention to the landscape and spark opportunities for dialogue and exchange. What does “HOME” mean to them?
Photo Credits: John Trevino
Permanente Public Art Commissions
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2014Approx. 240" h x 180" w x 8" d
Reclaimed redwood, found objects, tempered glass.
Los Angeles County Arts Commission Martin Luther King Jr. Medical Center Los Angeles.
A portrait of a hospital’s narrative of purpose, community service and struggle. The windows and doors found on the streets combined with other salvaged objects, including items that relate to every stage in life—from baby shoes to canes—narrates a life’s journey, forming a visually powerful symbol of a welcoming home that is a place of healing.