Los Angeles (Wilma) 2009

Jill Baroff, born in 1954, created ‘Los Angeles (Wilma)’, which presents us with a series of concentric circles. The work invites us to consider how the simple act of drawing a circle has evolved within Western cultural and institutional practices. In the latter half of the 20th century, Los Angeles became the hub of Light and Space artists. They were a group of loosely affiliated artists who explored perceptual phenomena related to light, volume, and scale. The city was seen as a blank canvas and fertile ground for experimentation. The concentric circles in 'Los Angeles (Wilma)' may be understood as a nod to this artistic legacy. Baroff evokes a sense of place by creating a mandala-like image that also resonates with California's New Age philosophies. To further understand this artwork, we need to investigate the cultural context. We can learn more by researching the California art scene, the Light and Space movement, and the spiritual practices that might have influenced Baroff's aesthetic vision. The meaning of art lies in this interplay between the artist, their work, and the social forces that shape them.