A friendship that has lasted more than 30 years, spanned across two continents, and transcended cultures has led to a new art installation at Whittier College by renown contemporary Chinese artist Wang Luyan.
On Sunday, Whittier College held a special reception and artist talk in celebration this new art installation on campus called The Walkers. Traveling from China for the occasion, Wang spoke about The Walkers, which consists of ten original sculptures located on the lower quad.
Wang has had a decades-long relationship with Whittier College. His brother studied abroad at Whittier 30 years ago; and at the same time, Wang formed a friendship with alumnus Randall Davidson ’88, who happened to be studying abroad at the same time in China. Thanks to these serendipitous connections, Wang’s first-ever international exhibition was in Whittier’s Greenleaf Gallery, solidifying his link to the College.
“I have a deep relationship with this College,” said Wang during his remarks. “Whittier College promotes freedom and creed to me and I chose this sculpture, The Walkers, because it’s an art piece that is ever questioning. You don’t know which direction it’s going. And I hope the context of my art piece to ever-question the direction that we’re moving has an impact to the students here.”
Davidson, Professor of History Robert Marks, Professor of Business Administration Daniel Duran, administrative coordinator of the LIASE Project Denise Wong Velasco, and a group of eleven dedicated students worked to transport the sculptures from China to Whittier to enrich the Whitter College community with Wang’s incredibly generous donation.
