Venice Beach artist Joel Shields, known as Venice Amplified, brought his signature pop-up street art back to the City of West Hollywood last week, this time at Koontz Hardware located at 8914 Santa Monica Boulevard. The installation was situated inside a planter adjacent to the parking lot facing Route 66. Shields’ playful artwork featured dolls, a collection of doll dresses, construction trucks, small toy cars, and his renowned yarn art that has graced West Hollywood on several occasions over the past two to three years.
Pop Up Street art by Joel Shields of Venice Amplified art – WEHO TIMESThe art installation remained in place for nearly a week, going up on Monday, February 19, and being taken down Saturday night ahead of anticipated rain on Sunday. Shields expressed his surprise and gratitude that the installation remained undisturbed for six days, with no instances of theft or vandalism. He mentioned his interaction with the store staff, including Belinda and Todd at the register, and an elderly employee who noticed his presence.
@wehotimes It’s the Creative City of West Hollywood so expect to find creative random art. Joel Shields of @veniceamplified is back with his colorful yarn artwork, this time on Santa Monica Blvd at Koontz Hardware. #wehocity #wehotimes #weho #westhollywood #wehonews #art #artist #california #california #streetart #streetartist #wehoart #wehoarts #lgbt #lgbtq @City of West Hollywood @WeHoArts @Joel Shields893
Responding to a comment expressing concern about potential vandalism by homeless individuals, Shields urged giving unhoused individuals the benefit of the doubt, noting the respect shown toward his artwork.
Shields has emphasized his commitment to leaving the areas where he installs his art in better condition than he finds them. He shared his appreciation for the positive reception of his work on his Instagram account, stating, “I’m overwhelmed by the love and respect after 24 hours on the street. I had no idea what to expect… thank you.”
When a commenter posted a comment in response to his art in our Instagram account stating that “a homeless person is going to piss all over it,” Shields pointed out that he needed to give the unhoused who live among us the benefit of the doubt. So far, everyone has been respectful of his artwork, including WeHo city officials.
This past summer, Shields used mainly colors of the rainbow to pay tribute to the memory of the victims of the Pulse Nightclub mass shooting, which left 49 dead on June 12, 2016. Shields placed 49 rainbow-colored shoe forms at the John Reed Fitness building to represent the 49 lives lost back when the gym was still under construction.
Joel Shields – WEHO TIMESEarlier this month, he revisited the spot and strategically placed toy trucks on the building without getting any pushback from the owners. “Forty years ago, I started going to the gym on this infamously iconic West Hollywood parcel,” he wrote on his Facebook page. “Thank you John Reed Fitness.”
Venice Amplified Art Installation, February 4, 2024 – Photo by Joel ShieldsFollow Joel Shields in Instagram at @veniceamplified.