The Insurance Man (1985)

Richard Wyatt, Mid-City Los Angeles, Oil on board, 14’ x 6’

This interior mural adorned the original headquarters of the Golden State Mutual Insurance Company. A tribute to the agents who serve in the trenches, it was created in honor of the company's 60th year in business. The model, however, was not an insurance agent, but rather the father of the artist’s friend. In 1925, a small Black-owned company, which later became Golden State Mutual, began business as an upstairs storefront operation on South Central Avenue near downtown LA. Its sole purpose was to provide local African Americans with insurance because no other financial institution would. Today Golden State is licensed in 22 states, plus the District of Columbia. In Fall 1996, the original headquarters building was restored and converted into an apartment complex with a daycare center and retail stores. The mural was restored in 1985

Photo: ©Robin Dunitz