I am Josiah O’Balles, a Afro Chicano multi disciplinary artist, advocate and story teller from the San Gabriel Valley of Los Angeles CA. My artwork is informed and inspired by the heroes, beauties, and truth that comes from the struggles within the working class BIPOC community, the motion of music, and my interest in my own personal lineage and history. I seek to utilize my art to aid, amplify, and progress the causes and stories of my community, and in return hopefully learn more about myself in the process. 

I have worked under artists such as Vincent Valdez, Paul Botello, Judy Baca, Nery Gabriel Lemus & Pavel Acevedo, all of whom have pushed me to pursue my public art practice. I have exhibited at galleries & institutions such as Museum of Latin American Art, Self Help Graphics & Art, Superchief Gallery, Watts Towers Art Center Campus, Art Share LA, and Long Beach City College. I have accomplished 5 personal murals with more currently in development, and have helped produce several others for various artists & organizations. 

A primary and vital part of my practice is working within the community. Over the past 5 years I have spent time contributing my artwork through banners, installations, workshops and murals to community gatherings advocating for social change and collective consciousness. Working with groups focusing on anti displacement, social housing, arts education, & building relationship with the land. I have learned and grown so much not only as an artist but as a human, through this part of my life. Public art is an integral part of change.