Compton Artist Mr. Wash New Book “Artists in Space” Will Fund New Community Art Center
Compton, CA–Artist and criminal justice reform advocate Mr. Wash has opened pre-orders for his new book Artists in Space. The 200-page book highlights the studio spaces of 20 Los Angeles artists and documents the creative environments that shape their work. Every purchase supports the development of the Art By Wash Studio & Community Center in Compton, a new space focused on arts education, creative training, and support for formerly incarcerated individuals.
Artists in Space gives readers an inside look at how Los Angeles artists create, work, and build community. Each studio visit shows how artists use space to grow their practice and express their stories. The project celebrates the diverse voices that define the Los Angeles art scene and reflects the many communities that influence the city’s culture.
The book features Mario Ayala, Charles Bibbs, Patrisse Cullors, Mel Depaz, Delfin Finley, Kohshin Finley, Erin D. Garcia, Kenneth Gatewood, Alfonso Gonzalez Jr., Lanise Howard, Ozzie Juarez, Tidawhitney Lek, Tala Madani, Maria Maea, Michael Massenburg, Anthony Lee Pittman, Devin Reynolds, Gabriela Ruiz, Peter Shire, and Sonya Sombreuil. All photographs are by Joppe Jacob Rog. Together, these studio portraits create a record of the Los Angeles art community today.
For Mr. Wash, the book is a personal milestone.
He first learned to paint while serving a life sentence for a non-violent drug offense he did not commit. After President Barack Obama granted him clemency, he returned home to Compton and continued his work as an artist.
His art has been shown at the Hammer Museum, LACMA, the Huntington Library, and the Whitney Museum. In 2024, he presented a solo exhibition at Jeffrey Deitch Gallery in Los Angeles.
Mr. Wash says the project helped him rethink what a studio represents.
“This project shows how important it is to share stories and share space. These visits inspired me and helped me see how community supports creativity.”
All proceeds from Artists in Space will help build the Art By Wash Studio & Community Center in Compton. The center is currently in the planning phase with support from Morphosis Architects and The NOW Institute. The space will offer arts programs, residencies, classes, and housing support for people returning home from prison. The goal is to provide creative opportunities, stability, and a pathway to healing through art.
The new center reflects Mr. Wash’s belief that art can change lives. It aims to give Compton residents, especially those impacted by incarceration, a place to create, learn, and build community. Pre-orders for Artists in Space are now available at www.artbywash.com
