LA JOLLA, CA.- The Athenaeum Music & Arts Library announced Murals of La Jolla, a project of the Athenaeum installed new artwork by San Diego resident Kelsey Brookes at a new location on 7835 Ivanhoe Avenue. This 20' 11" x 41' 6" piece of art was installed this week and on view to the public since Friday, August 15.

Kelsey Brookes' mural One Pointed Attention joins 12 other murals currently installed throughout La Jolla as part of the Murals of La Jolla, founded by La Jolla Community Foundation, a project of the Athenaeum program.

This is to be the first mural under the new administration of the Athenaeum Music & Arts Library, already serving as a locus for tours of the previous murals on display. “We are honored we are allowed to oversee the Murals of La Jolla program. It has made us many friends and the large crowds at the monthly tours show great local interest. It is especially gratifying that several of the artists chosen have shown their work at the Athenaeum,” said Erika Torri, Athenaeum Executive Director.

One Pointed Attention engages the viewer in a mesmerizing vision scape. Brookes’ distinctive use of color and line creates a portal into an intriguing and transcendent visual experience. The undulating patterns evoke a sense of calm contemplation while also creating a more cerebral and psychological effect. Brookes’ work often embodies a metaphysical and otherworldly state based on his knowledge of scientific drawings and molecular structure. The scale of One Pointed Attention allows the viewer to feel absorbed into the pulsating aura Brookes has created.

Born and raised in Denver, Colorado, Brookes attended Colorado State University for biochemistry and spent much of his young life as a scientist. In 2005, he left the sciences to become a full time artist. Brookes has been recognized for his album cover art, created for bands such as the Red Hot Chili Peppers and The Flaming Lips.

Since 2010, large-scale artworks have appeared in a variety of locations throughout the village of La Jolla, some prominently displayed while others are tucked away in more discreet locations.

Murals of La Jolla was founded by the La Jolla Community Foundation and is now a project of the Athenaeum. The goal of the mural project is to enhance the civic character of the community by commissioning public art projects on private property throughout La Jolla. Murals of La Jolla art advisory committee is composed of the heads of the major visual arts organizations who commission artists to propose the intervention of an image on specific walls on privately owned buildings. The first two artworks by Roy McMakin and Kim MacConnel were painted directly on their sites. Subsequent artworks have been printed on vinyl and installed on billboard-like structures. Each work is on view for a minimum of two years and has been generously funded by private donations.

Murals of La Jolla garnered support from Congressman Scott Peters, US Representative California 52nd District and former member of the board of the La Jolla Community Foundation, who emphasized the fact that this collaboration creates an outdoor exhibition that makes artwork more accessible to a larger audience.

To date, new works by John Baldessari, Gajin Fujita, Anya Gallaccio, Robert Ginder, Ann Hamilton, Robert Irwin/Philipp Scholz Rittermann, Nina Katchadourian, Kim MacConnel, Ryan McGinness, Roy McMakin, Richard Allen Morris, Catherine Opie, Julian Opie and Fred Tomaselli have been installed throughout La Jolla.

Murals of La Jolla committee members include: Matt Browar, committee chair, art collector, and CEO of Browar Management Corporation; Mary Beebe, director of the Stuart Collection at the University of California, San Diego; Hugh M. Davies, the David C. Copley director and CEO of the Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego; Lynda Forsha, project curator and principal of Art Advisory Services; Kathryn Kanjo, chief curator, Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego; Patsy Marino, community leader and art collector; Erika Torri, Joan & Irwin Jacobs Executive Director of La Jolla Athenaeum and Mark Quint, owner of Quint Contemporary Art.