Post Office Mural (destroyed) – Maywood CA

Description

In 1939, George Samerjan painted a three-panel mural titled “Industry” for the post office in Maywood, CA. It was commissioned by the Section of Fine Arts (SFA).

Samerjan painted “Industry” as a tribute to Maywood’s working class. “The central panel depicted a group of men working with pavement breakers, in the left panel showed carpenters and on the right were plasterers.” Samerjan’s work was “influenced by the Mexican muralists Diego Rivera and David Alfaro Siqueiros, whose politically charged frescos addressed issues such as labor rights and community unrest. George chose scenes for his murals that reflected on the lived realities of the Great Depression. He completed the works in his Hollywood Boulevard gallery space and studio that he shared with artist Fletcher Martin. Once complete, the canvas covered boards were then installed in their respective buildings” (see www.georgesamerjanart.com).

“Industry” has subsequently been destroyed. Samerjan’s other two SFA murals survive at the post offices in Culver City and Calexico, CA.

Note: Established in 1939, the Section of Fine Arts succeeded the Treasury Section of Painting and Sculpture (1934-1938) and the Treasury Section of Fine Arts (1938-1939) in overseeing artworks created to enhance public buildings, notably post offices.