Artist VS Artist

In an American Dictionary, the artist means someone who produces art, especially paintings or drawings. The story, however, I discovered below, urges me rethink the meaning of it.  

I knew him because of a TV interview program. He was tall but not burly, shoulder-length black hair in a bisection style, an elongated face with golden-framed glasses. “That is the only part resembles me an artist.” He said self-deprecatingly.

He grew up in a particular period of time of China—the era of Mao Zedong. As a result, he has experienced a Culture Revolution, which led to thousands of urban youth Chinese transfer to a rural region during the Down to Countryside Movement. That was a tough time for a teenager to leave home and work in the countryside. The only opportunity backing to city was to learn a skill and go to a university.

He dreamed of being an artist at the time. In a rural area, without enough food supplies and comfortable living conditions, he took his first step— study Fine Art by himself. Many years after, when talking to his past experiences, he admitted that experiencing extreme difficulties in his early life prepared him to stand any adversities that encountered later. Moreover, he took the hardship for granted: “Engaging in arts is supposed to endure suffering.”

Thirty years later, when becoming a president of Sculpture Institute, and accomplishing over 150 exquisite sculptures spreading over the China, he did not consider himself as a popular artist. “I am just a person engaging in art creation seriously.”

In 2006, out of over 2000 candidates with 500 drafts in fifty-two countries, he got an invitation completing Martin Luther King’s statue. Even though public criticism has questioned his background as a Chinese artist, he put tremendous effort to accomplish it.

When, four-year arduous working after, the sculpture appeared in National Mall of Washington, D. C.,and drew warm applause from crowds, he, however, chose to leave. “I will choose stand aloof from city.” He said in a calm tone. To stay in his hometown and committed to fashioning more non-commercial products became his pursuit of life.  

 His words touched my heart. I admired his courage—a person could enjoy the loneliness after savoring the joy of victory.

He re-interpreted the meaning of artist for me .

His name is Lei,Yixin--the sculptor of Martin Luther King Jr. Memoral.