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Barry Wonenberg creating two sculptures in China
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Posted on Aug 14 2008
Athletes aren’t the only people striving for perfection in China right now.
Barry Wonenberg, an art instructor at Northern Marianas College, has been spending his days working on two sculptures as part of the 9th International Sculpture Symposium.
Maggie Wonenberg, Barry’s wife, said he was initially going to work on a 10-foot tall steel sculpture, but when he arrived in China, he was told he could also work on a bronze sculpture.
Once the artist has designed the sculpture, the studio designates assistants to build the piece, Maggie said.
Artists from around the world were invited to submit sculpture proposals representing the national and local cultures of their countries.
Approximately 45 artists are taking part in the Symposium. Some of the countries represented include Niger, Tunisia, Oman, Palestine, Vatican City, Aruba, Guam and New Caledonia.
“I am happy to be given this opportunity. It is gratifying to have my abilities recognized,” Barry Wonenberg said in an e-mail to the Saipan Tribune before he left for China. “This is a wonderful opportunity for me and for the CNMI islands as a whole. I am honored to have been selected to represent our islands and create one of my sculptures for the symposium.”
All of the artists stay in the same hotel and eat together, Maggie said. During the day they spend their time working on their creations in the studio.
Maggie said media from China are regularly going to the studio to interview the artists.
The symposium runs through Sept. 5. After that the artwork will be put on display at the Changchun World Sculpture Park in Changchun, China, considered the largest sculpture park in the world.
As one of the selected artist, Wonenberg received the all-expense-paid trip that includes a round-trip ticket to China, a $2,000 honorarium, hotel accommodations, meals, sightseeing tours and other activities.
Wonenberg will be back to teach classes at NMC this school year, Maggie said.
