A monumental bronze sculpture of a young black man astride a galloping horse is being permanently installed in Virginia’s capital city, not far from the Confederate monument it mimics
By
SARAH RANKIN Associated Press
December 10, 2019, 1:11 PM
1 min read
Artist Kehinde Wiley’s monumental bronze sculpture of a young black man astride a galloping horse is set to be permanently installed in Virginia’s capital city, not far from the Confederate monument it mimics.
An unveiling ceremony for “Rumors of War” will be held Tuesday afternoon at the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts in Richmond. The piece was previously on display in Times Square.
The 29-foot-high work was inspired by Wiley's visit to Richmond, where he encountered another massive equestrian monument, the one honoring Confederate Gen. J.E.B. Stuart. Mounted atop a large stone pedestal, Wiley's sculpture will be visible from the city’s historic Arthur Ashe Boulevard.
Wiley is known for his paintings of black Americans and his commissioned portrait of former President Barack Obama, displayed at the National Portrait Gallery.
He is scheduled to give remarks Tuesday, along with Gov. Ralph Northam, Richmond Mayor Levar Stoney and others. Hundreds are expected to attend.
