An essential guide to famous art in Los Angeles

Beyond Hollywood and the endless mouth-watering tacos, Los Angeles’ sprawling neighborhoods are decorated with art that reflect its eclectic spirit. From Fairey’s iconic murals to the luminous “Urban Light” at LACMA, these artworks will have your mind buzzing, leaving you searching for your next fix of famous art in Los Angeles. These pieces exemplify the creativity of the City of Angels, helping you navigate the coolest neighborhoods to find the next intoxicating piece. Whether you find yourself outside the spiraling Watts Tower or inside Yayoi Kusama’s psychedelic “Infinity Room”, this guide will help you uncover essential artworks in Los Angeles.

1. Urban Light, Chris Burden

Where to see it

Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA)

Now emblematic of Los Angeles, Chris Burden’s “Urban Light” is one of the city’s most photographed artworks. The installation is composed of 202 restored street lamps from the 1920s and 1930s, mostly sourced from LA neighborhoods. Arranged in a grid, the lamps glow after dark, transforming the piece into a luminous public sculpture. Located at the entrance to LACMA, this essential landmark is free to visit anytime.

Address

5905 Wilshire Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90036, United States

Opening Hours

Open 24 hours

2. Seine and Old Bridge at Limay, Jean-Baptiste-Camille Corot

Where to see it

Getty Center

This famous painting in LA depicts a peaceful 19th-century landscape of the Seine River in the French countryside, rendering Corot’s soft, atmospheric style. “Seine and Old Bridge at Limay” is one of his most evocative paintings and a serene contrast to the urban energy of Los Angeles. Find it in the European paintings collection at the Getty Center.

Address

1200 Getty Center Dr, Los Angeles, CA 90049, United States

Opening Hours

Tuesday–Friday, Sunday 10:00 AM–5:30 PM
Saturday 10:00 AM-8:00 PM
Monday Closed

3. The Great Wall of Los Angeles, Judith Baca

Where to see it

Tujunga Greenbelt; The Great Wall of Los Angeles

Stretching over 2,700 feet along the LA River network, this landmark mural traces California’s history from prehistoric times to the 20th century, focusing on diverse communities. Led by Chicana artist Judith Baca and hundreds of local youth, it’s a powerful expression of public history and social justice. Find this expressive piece of urban art on Oxnard Street in the San Fernando Valley.

Address

12920 W Oxnard St, Valley Glen, CA 91401, United States

Opening Hours

Open 24 hours

4. Infinity Mirrored Room – The Souls of Millions of Light Years Away, Yayoi Kusama

Where to see it

The Broad

This immersive installation surrounds visitors with mirrors and lights, creating a dazzling sense of infinite space. This Kusama piece translates her characteristic dotwork into a three-dimensional piece that invites reflection on perception and the self within the universe. Free timed-entry tickets are available at The Broad, but reservations are required.

Address

221 S Grand Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90012, United States

Opening Hours

Tuesday–Friday 11:00 AM–5:00 PM
Saturday–Sunday 10:00 AM–6:00 PM
Monday Closed

5. Irises, Vincent Van Gogh

Where to See it

Getty Center

Painted in 1889 during Van Gogh’s stay at the asylum in Saint-Rémy, “Irises” is one of the artist’s most celebrated works. Its vibrant colors and expressive brushstrokes reflect his passion for nature and inner turmoil. The Getty’s hilltop location offers one of the most scenic viewpoints in the city, accentuating this famous painting in Los Angeles.

Address

1200 Getty Center Dr, Los Angeles, CA 90049, United States

Opening Hours

Tuesday–Friday, Sunday 10:00 AM–5:30 PM
Saturday 10:00 AM-8:00 PM
Monday Closed

6. The Watts Tower, Simon Rodia

Where to see it

Watts Towers Arts Center

Built over 33 years by Italian immigrant and construction worker Simon Rodia, the 17 interwoven towers rise to 99 feet tall. Also called “Nuestra Pueblo,” the construction is made from steel, broken glass, tiles, and other found objects. This hidden gem in LA symbolizes personal vision and community perseverance. The only way to enter the gates of the Watts Towers is by purchasing a ticket for a 30-minute guided tour at the Watts Towers Art Center.

Address

1765 E 107th St, Los Angeles, CA 90002, United States

Opening Hours

Wednesday-Saturday 10:00 AM-12:30 PM & 1:30 PM-4:00 PM
Sunday-Tuesday Closed

7. Defend Dignity, Shepard Fairey

Where to find it

Southpark; Downtown LA

Created by Shepard Fairey, a major figure in the LA art scene, “Defend Dignity” sends a message about love and fairness for humans and the planet. Fairey is best known for founding the “Obey” street art campaign and designing the iconic 2008 Obama “Hope” poster. This mural features Maribel Valdez Gonzalez, a Texan of Mexican descent, to emphasize the Latino influence on LA and in support of immigrant rights. The bleeding lotus at the center symbolizes the fragility and beauty of our planet, reinforcing Fairey’s message of empathy and environmental awareness. Find this famous mural in downtown Los Angeles on Grand Avenue.

Address

1031 S Grand Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90015, United States

Opening Hours

Open 24 hours

8. Mural of Audrey Hepburn, Free Humanity

Where to see it

Melrose Avenue

This beloved mural of Audrey Hepburn is one of the standout works in LA’s bustling Melrose Avenue, bordering Hollywood. Painted by Free Humanity, it combines celebrity culture with activism and a call for kindness.

Address

7753 Melrose Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90046, United States

Opening Hours

Open 24 hours

9. Rainbow, Judy Chicago

Where to see it

The Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA)

Part of Chicago’s broader feminist art practice, her “Rainbow Pickett” installation uses geometric color to break boundaries in minimalism and challenge the male-dominated art world. The bold palette and angular forms radiate strength and defiance. It’s housed at the Museum of Contemporary Art, one of the best art museums in Los Angeles and the only artist-founded museum in the city.

Address

250 S Grand Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90012, United States

Opening Hours

Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday 11:00 AM-5:00 PM
Thursday 11:00 AM-8:00 PM
Monday Closed
Saturday and Sunday 11:00 AM-6:00 PM

10. Cold Shoulder, Roy Lichtenstein

Where to see it

The Broad

Roy Lichtenstein’s “Cold Shoulder” is a prominent example of Pop Art, showcasing the artist’s signature comic book style, bold colors, and thick outlines. The painting features a female figure turned away, delivering the titular “cold shoulder”. It plays with themes of emotional distance and mass media imagery, typical of Lichtenstein’s work. Find this painting in one of LA’s best museums, the Broad, where it’s a highlight among the museum’s Pop Art collection.

Address

221 S Grand Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90012, United States

Opening Hours

Tuesday–Friday 11:00 AM–5:00 PM
Saturday–Sunday 10:00 AM–6:00 PM
Monday Closed

11. Danaë, Orazio Gentileschi

Where to see it

Getty Center

In “Danaë”, Orazio Gentileschi reimagines the Greek myth of Zeus visiting Danaë in the form of golden rain. Painted in the early 17th century, this Baroque masterpiece is sensual yet reserved, showing Danaë reclining beneath a cascade of light. It’s one of the standout mythological works at the Getty Center.

Address

1200 Getty Center Dr, Los Angeles, CA 90049, United States

Opening Hours

Tuesday–Friday, Sunday 10:00 AM–5:30 PM
Saturday 10:00 AM-8:00 PM
Monday Closed

12. Levitated Mass, Michael Heizer

Where to see it

Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA)

This controversial outdoor sculpture features a 340-ton granite boulder suspended over a concrete trench. Visitors can walk beneath the massive rock, which challenges perceptions of space and gravity. It’s one of Heizer’s most ambitious earthworks and a defining installation in LA’s public art scene. You can even view this sculpture outside with a ticket to the museum, which is a free experience to enjoy in LA.

Address

5905 Wilshire Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90036, United States

Opening Hours

Monday–Thursday 11:00 AM–6:00 PM
Wednesday Closed
Friday 11:00 AM–8:00 PM
Saturday–Sunday 10:00 AM–7:00 PM