Del Amo Wheel (1999) 

Colin Gray

DESCRIPTION:   station art consisting of a 9-foot diameter cast-stone 'wheel' sculpture

Artist Colin Gray was partially inspired by the ornate wheels on the façades of a temple in Konarak, India.  The sculpture has both visual and verbal riddles as part of the design, inspired by images and events gleaned from local history, with the aim of challenging commuters to solve them over the days and years of their travel.  
Artist's Statement:  “On visiting the site, it struck me how everything as far as the eye could see was industrially made, practical and plain. Rather than blend in, I set out to produce something in direct contrast, thinking that more industrial-looking objects or processes, more plain formed surfaces and more reminders of the pragmatic life would not necessarily be a gift to the community. The idea of the ornate wheel was born out of the desire to balance what is there with something handmade rather than industrially made, ornate rather than plain, ceremonial rather than practical, and still rather than moving.” -- Colin Gray
LOCATION:  station platform, Metro A Line (Blue), Del Amo Station, 20220 Santa Fe Avenue, Compton, California, USA