Date:
9/10/2003
Contact: Wendel Sloan at 505.562.2253
Reporter: Dr. Patrice Caldwell
PORTALES--The newest artwork on Eastern New Mexico University's campus has
traveled all the way from Xi'an, the People's Republic of China. The
800-pound bronze greyhound is a gift of Mr. Huo Baozhu, the president of
Shanxi Five Rings Sculptural Art Company.
Huo met several members of the ENMU administration when they were traveling
in China to explore exchange opportunities with Chinese universities, and
ENMU vice president K. Paul Jones visited Huo's bronze foundry in Xi'an last
fall.
Huo's company is known internationally for its bronze sculptures. The
company has created several large pieces for clients in the United States.
However, Eastern's greyhound presented Huo with a special challenge. He
needed a model of a greyhound, since the animals are rarely seen in China.
Dr. David Gerig, dean of the ENMU College of Fine Arts, was very helpful in
providing dimensions and digital pictures of New Mexico greyhounds for the
Chinese artisans. The foundry workers crafted the greyhound without ever
seeing a real animal.
The greyhound traveled to the United States by air freight and then was
trucked from Los Angeles, Calif., to Albuquerque, where ENMU employees
claimed the shipment. Rod McDermid Masonry constructed the greyhound's
pedestal. Artist and ENMU alumni Ken Leap oversaw the installation project.
The greyhound sculpture and its donor will be recognized at Homecoming,
Friday, Oct. 10. A bronze plaque will be unveiled at that time, recognizing
Huo's gift. The plaque also includes the sentence, in Chinese characters,
stating that the sculpture represents "Friendship between the peoples of
China and the United States." Huo hopes to be in attendance for the event.
Greyhound sculpture at ENMU.