Chinese artist to sculpt statue
cnwatch
Chinese artist to sculpt statue of Martin Luther King
A Chinese sculptor from central China's Hunan Province has been chosen to sculpt
a stone statue of Martin Luther King, which will be unveiled in the Martin
Luther King Square in Washington in 2008.
Lei Yixin, the 53-year-old director of the Hunan Sculpture Institute, received
the contract from the Sculpture Committee of the Martin Luther Square (SCMLS) on
Sunday, as well as video, photographs and reading materials of the American
hero.
"This is a recognition of Chinese sculptors," said the excited Lei, who has
worked in sculpting for over 20 years.
The SCMLS approached Lei in July after he had made a 2.3-meter-tall sculpture at
the International Stone Sculpture Conference.
"To me, the image of Martin Luther King is a black man with broad shoulders and
sparkling eyes full of vigor. He symbolized courage in pursuit of equality," he
said.
Lei has won several prizes in China and his works are on display in Changsha
Square.
Source: Xinhua