The organizing committee of the Bejing 2008 Olympic Landscape Design Contest, chaired by Mr. Yuan XiKun, invited bronze sculptor Shray to participate in the contest. Her sculpture has garnered the prestigious “Excellent Works” distinction.
American Master Artist and Sculptor, Shray, is delighted to announce that her bronze sculpture “Raising Tomorrow’s Olympic Champions” has been selected to travel throughout domestic China and the world as part of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Landscape Sculpture Design Contest international tour. Chosen from a field of more than 2,600 pieces/sets of designs from 82 countries around the world, it is one of only two American sculptures to garner the competition’s highest rating, the "excellent works" distinction. The international tour will travel to 23 major cities in China beginning this June. The tour will be overseen by General Secretary Zou Wen and Director Yuan XiKun.
“Raising Tomorrow’s Olympic Champions” will compete for a gold medal.
“I am very honored that my piece has been selected as a finalist in the Olympic Landscape Sculpture Design Contest,” says Shray. “I have deep respect for China's efforts to promote the profound idea that the Olympic Games represent -- our shared human cultural heritage makes us citizens of one world. Beijing 2008’s efforts to arouse enthusiasm and gain the participation of the public is representative of the great Olympic Spirit.”
The sculpture, “Raising Tomorrow's Olympic Champions,” is a mother and father uplifting the child, encouraging the child to reach ever higher to achieve his or her goals. The theme is “The future belongs to our children.”
“My goal as an artist is to entice tomorrow's Olympic champions to interact with this large-scale piece and to be inspired to pursue their dreams,” says the artist. “I want young people from all cultures to see the children in bronze as reflections of themselves - filled with potential for greatness.”
“It is my hope that this monumental sculpture will create an environment in which families can gather in celebration, calmness and harmony. A place in which they can honor not only the sacrifices and achievements of past and present Olympians, but also the families that today are raising the next generation of champions.”
“The piece will encourage children to interact with the Olympic Rings that represent the five continents, to pass freely from one ring to the next as they play, learn and dream.”
“The historically high value that China places on the family unit will undoubtedly be a universal example as the world comes to Beijing in 2008,” says Shray. “I want my piece to advance the goals and reflect the vision of the Olympics.”
“It is a great honor to be a representative of the United States and to be one of the two US citizens selected in the ‘Excellent Work’ category of the 2008 Olympic Landscape Sculpture Design Contest.”