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DESCRIPTION: 6-ton, 21-foot high painted cast bronze statue of John Wayne on horseback, mounted on a large 8-foot high by 8-foot by 14-foot oval base faced with bronze bas reliefs depicting a cattle drive accident and burial
This full-size statue of John Wayne on horseback was commissioned by Great West Savings and Loan in 1984. Sculptor Harry Jackson produced a kinetic design with a motor to rotate the statue and horse on its oval base. He also gave the surface a multi-colored paint treatment. Jackson was upset when the city review board required the removal of the motor to avoid it being a dangerous traffic distraction on Wilshire Blvd., and also required the multi-colored paint removed and replaced with only a dark gray coating.
After the statue's installation, Washington Mutual acquired Great Western in 1994 and sold the property, but not the statue, to Larry Flint of Penthouse Publishing, who suggested replacing it with "a 50-foot statue celebrating the male anatomy." (Los Angeles Times, 1/04/2008). Washington Mutual and The City of Beverly Hills subsequently discussed its removal and sale, but no agreements were reached.
The Bas Relief images: Two bas relief scenes on the sides of the oval base depict the dangers and sorrow of cowboy life: on one side a cowboy is trampled by a cattle stampede, on the other side cowhands are shown burying their fallen comrade.
This full-size statue of John Wayne on horseback was commissioned by Great West Savings and Loan in 1984. Sculptor Harry Jackson produced a kinetic design with a motor to rotate the statue and horse on its oval base. He also gave the surface a multi-colored paint treatment. Jackson was upset when the city review board required the removal of the motor to avoid it being a dangerous traffic distraction on Wilshire Blvd., and also required the multi-colored paint removed and replaced with only a dark gray coating.
After the statue's installation, Washington Mutual acquired Great Western in 1994 and sold the property, but not the statue, to Larry Flint of Penthouse Publishing, who suggested replacing it with "a 50-foot statue celebrating the male anatomy." (Los Angeles Times, 1/04/2008). Washington Mutual and The City of Beverly Hills subsequently discussed its removal and sale, but no agreements were reached.
The Bas Relief images: Two bas relief scenes on the sides of the oval base depict the dangers and sorrow of cowboy life: on one side a cowboy is trampled by a cattle stampede, on the other side cowhands are shown burying their fallen comrade.
LOCATION: southwest corner of Wilshire Blvd. and South Hamilton Drive, 8484 Wilshire Blvd., Beverly Hills, California, USA
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