Richard Wyatt, Jr.

Richard Wyatt Jr. (October 7, 1955 - May 17, 2024) is a contemporary muralist best known for his public art in and around the city of Los Angeles. His murals can be found at the Watts Towers, the Capitol Records Building, White Memorial Hospital, the Ontario Airport, the Wilshire and Western Metro station, the Union Station East Portal, and many other locations.

Early life

Wyatt was born in Lynwood, California and grew up in Compton before moving to the Crenshaw District in South Los Angeles. Wyatt graduated from Fairfax High School. At thirteen, he participated in an art show at the Los Angeles Bahá’í Center, where he exhibited alongside John Outterbridge, who became a mentor and advocate. Other influential early mentors included Cecil Fergerson and Claude Booker, whom he met through his participation in the Watts Summer Festival.