Jimmy O'Balles

Jimmy O'Balles was born and raised in Monrovia, California. After graduating high school and attending college, Jimmy was drafted into the army where he served 1 year in Vietnam.

 

After serving in Vietnam, Jimmy returned to LA where he held several occupations ranging from sales to office jobs to counseling war veterans, before dedicating his career towards art. During the late 90s, Jimmy owned an art gallery called Indígena at the Aztec Hotel in Monrovia which showed contemporary art. Now operating as a contemporary art curator in LA, Jimmy has spent the last several decades bringing together the Black and Brown art communities. His shows aim to highlight social justice issues and relevant events to the times we live in. In his free time, he also enjoys reading, attending flea markets, gardening, and helping the homeless individuals in Los Angeles. 

 

When he isn’t working, Jimmy is spending time with his large family of 7 children, or hanging out with friends, many of whom are artists he has mentored over the years. Jimmy is a committed liberal Christian. He uses art to connect communities of all kinds and has shown at galleries throughout California. Some of his shows include Black, Brown, and Beige; RISE: Love, Revolution, and the Black Panther Party; Sanctuary; and 43: From Ayotzinapa to Ferguson. 

 

One of Jimmy’s life philosophies is “treat people the way you want to be treated” and he aims to translate that belief into everything he does.