Masterpiece Title: The Pommel Horse — Commemorative Statue of Yang Wei
Location: “Sports Avenue of Stars,” Hankou Riverfront, Wuhan.
Commission Milestone: Formally unveiled in 2011 as a premier installation within the inaugural Hubei Olympic Champions Themed Collection.
Subject Profile: Yang Wei, Olympic Gymnastics Champion (Native of Xiantao, Hubei).
Featured Apparatus: The Pommel Horse.
Material & Craftsmanship: 5mm thickness Lost-Wax Cast Bronze featuring a professional antique blackened patina; anchored on a monolithic black granite pedestal.
Fabrication & Craftsmanship
Precision Bronze Casting:
Utilizing precision sectional lost-wax casting, the work achieves a high-fidelity replication of human musculature, intricate drapery folds, and the anatomical pressure points of the hands. The final bronze is treated with a matte blackened antique finish for superior anti-corrosion performance. This finish is specifically engineered for the high-humidity riparian environment of the Wuhan riverfront, ensuring the sculpture remains rust-proof and weather-resistant for decades.
Architectural Stone Pedestal:
The installation is anchored to a monolithic black granite pedestal, precision-cut and polished to ensure clean, architectural edges. The identification plaque utilizes a brass etching and gold-inlay process, guaranteeing permanent legibility and zero-fade durability.
Sculptural Design Philosophy
The Hankou Riverfront “Avenue of Stars” serves as a collective portrait gallery celebrating Olympic champions from Hubei. Each bronze statue is meticulously curated to capture a signature movement from the athlete’s respective discipline. For Yang Wei, a high-difficulty support maneuver on the pommel horse was selected to visually articulate the profound synergy between strength and equilibrium inherent in world-class gymnastics.