Bal Harbour Village Celebrates 80 Years with Monumental Sculpture by Jon-Paul Wheatley
Bal Harbour Village is marking its 80th anniversary with a striking new installation that embodies the vibrant spirit of Miami. The centerpiece of this celebration is a monumental sculpture titled “Badly Drawn Ball,” created by British artist Jon-Paul Wheatley, known for his innovative approach to football design. Originally unveiled at Bal Harbour Shops in June, the sculpture has now found its home on the beach at 96th Street, where it will remain on display until July 27.
A Transformative Installation
The “Badly Drawn Ball” is a larger-than-life representation of a soccer ball, crafted as part of Wheatley’s ongoing project, 12 Pentagons. This installation has turned a picturesque stretch of Miami’s coastline into an open-air gallery, enhancing the area’s natural beauty against the backdrop of the Atlantic Ocean. The sculpture has quickly become one of the most talked-about public art pieces of the summer, drawing attention from both locals and visitors alike.
Photo Credit: Bal Harbour Village
The Artist Behind the Ball
Jon-Paul Wheatley is the founder of 12 Pentagons, a globally recognized football design studio. He has gained acclaim for his “Badly Drawn Ball” series, which reimagines the soccer ball as a collectible design object and contemporary sculpture. Through his platform, @jonpaulsballs, Wheatley handcrafts unique soccer balls, amassing a following of over 1.7 million. His collaborations include notable brands such as FIFA, Adidas, and Burberry, and his work has been featured in various international exhibitions.
The “Badly Drawn Ball” series originated from a simple concept: inviting people worldwide to submit hand-drawn sketches of soccer balls from memory. Wheatley discovered that most individuals misrepresent the ball in unique ways, leading to imperfections that are often more intriguing than a flawless depiction. This idea has been scaled into a monumental sculpture that invites viewers to reflect on creativity and imperfection.
Why It Works in Bal Harbour
The relocation of the sculpture from Bal Harbour Shops to the beach is more than a mere change of scenery; it introduces a new context that enhances the artwork’s significance. Set against the ocean, the sculpture fosters a dialogue between contemporary art and the coastal landscape, aligning perfectly with Miami’s growing reputation as a hub for public art and cultural initiatives. Bal Harbour Village, known for its blend of luxury, design, and hospitality, serves as an ideal backdrop for this installation, which elevates a common object—the soccer ball—while retaining its original charm.
The timing of the installation coincides with a summer filled with global football events, allowing Wheatley’s work to resonate with the current cultural moment. The “Badly Drawn Ball” transcends typical football merchandise, serving as a sculpture that sparks broader conversations about creativity and the diverse meanings that a single object can evoke, depending on the viewer’s perspective.
Beyond Bal Harbour
The Bal Harbour installation is part of a larger summer initiative for Wheatley. His work is currently featured in a multi-city exhibition in collaboration with The Hoxton, transforming hotel lobbies in cities like New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, and Portland into gallery spaces showcasing his handcrafted soccer ball sculptures. This partnership also includes a global competition, “The Badly Drawn Ball,” inviting the public to draw a soccer ball from memory for a chance to win a stay at any Hoxton hotel along with exclusive 12 Pentagons merchandise.
This competition, while seemingly straightforward, proves to be quite challenging, turning participants into collaborators and extending the reach of Wheatley’s work beyond traditional gallery settings.
See It Before It’s Gone
The 12 Pentagons installation at Bal Harbour Village Beach is accessible to the public until July 27. Visitors can experience this unique artwork free of charge at 96th Street. The sculpture is particularly captivating during sunset when the ocean’s light enhances its visual impact, creating a scene that feels meticulously crafted.
As reported by hauteliving.com.
Explore the latest digital editions of FAME Delivered in the Magazine section: https://famedelivered.com/magazine/
Published on 2026-07-07 01:36:00 • By FAME Delivered News Desk