The Monterey Park Library Board of Trustees selected Ricardo Mendoza to do the mural over the west door of the library. Work should start in 2009 with completion in time for the third anniversary of the library’s expansion.

Mendoza says that his proposal focuses on his notion of the library as an –

“outpost of wonder. The nine planets accompany these forms, representing the library’s physical structure expanding into space. The view is representation of the library opening and revealing its structure for contemplation as an outpost amongst our greater universe, a resource for broader contemplations. The hands are offering both the seeds of science and nurturing the growing root of knowledge. Suspended just over them are several spheres representing planets and catching the light as three dimensional relief forms with shadow. Some of the dropping seeds are also three-dimensional forms. The thin lines of the suspension cables articulate more visually subtle but alluring geometric contemplations of space inherent in the murals parameters and provide allusion to further dimensions of knowledge resourced within the library itself. My goal is to create an inviting work that actively dialogs with the sites’ features utilizing multi dimensional devices while offering moments of intriguing visual discovery by all library visitors regardless of age, ethnicity or purpose for entering.”

Mendoza was born in San Diego and grew up in southern California and the East Coast and presently lives and works in Los Angeles. He received a B.F.A. in painting from Otis/Parsons School of Art and an Associate Arts degree from Orange Coast College. His artwork spans diverse neighborhoods and communities throughout Los Angeles. Past public art commissions include the Los Angeles Metro Firestone Blue Line Station, the Pacific Alliance Medical Building, and the Lanark Park Recreation Building. He also did a Martian landscape for AT & T, a cosmological chart of the universe for the film “Psycho Sushi” and an acrylic for “The Viper Room.” He has had exhibitions at Otis – Los Angeles, Flor de Luna Gallery, Museum of Arts - Downtown and Echo Park Arts Festival.