Hai Ying Wu

Hai Ying Wu (also known as Jason Wu) is a Chinese American sculptor best known for his firefighter memorials.[1] and his memorial commemorating the Auto-Lite Strike in Toledo, Ohio.

Hai Ying Wu
Born
EducationSichuan Fine Arts Institute
Known forart, memorials
Notable work
Seattle Fallen Fire Fighters Memorial, Auto-Lite Strike Memorial
MovementSocialist realism

A native of China, Wu received his degree in sculpture from the Sichuan Fine Arts Institute, and became staff sculptor for the city of Chengdu on the Chengdu Public Arts Commission.[2][3] He worked primarily in public art and in the "socialist realist" genre.[4] A large number of his public art works can be seen in Chengdu.[2] He participated in the Tiananmen Square protests of 1989, and was caught in the square when the Chinese military attacked the demonstrators.[5] He emigrated to the United States later that same year, and in time became a U.S. citizen.[3] He worked in construction and as a dishwasher before enrolling in the University of Washington School of Art.[4] He graduated with a Master of Fine Arts degree.[3][6] For his master's thesis, he designed a memorial to 19th-century Chinese railroad workers which was later installed in a park in Tacoma, Washington.[3]

As of 2007, he divided his time between his home in Everett, Washington, and China.[7]

Wu is best known for sculpting the Seattle Fallen Fire Fighters Memorial in Seattle's Pioneer Square.[8] A design competition was held among all interested students in the UW School of Arts, and Wu's design was chosen.[3] He has erected similar memorials throughout the Pacific Northwest. He also created the Auto-Lite Strike Memorial in Toledo, which commemorates the violent United Auto Workers strike of 1934.[9] His work for Compass Health in Everett, Washington, was his first sculpture to focus on children.[10]

Public works

Among Wu's public works are:

References

  1. Christina Hall (June 12, 2007). "Toledo's fallen firefighters are honored in memorial". The Toledo Blade.
  2. "School Offers Art Sessions." The Arlington Times. November 9, 1994.
  3. Monsanto, Mae. "Warning: One Hot Creation." Daily UW. January 21, 1997.
  4. Paynter, Susan. "Artist Tributes to Firefighters Cause Sparks." Seattle Post-Intelligencer. May 17, 1996.
  5. "John, Jennifer. "A Promise Kept." UAW Solidarity. December 12, 2002". Archived from the original on January 26, 2009. Retrieved March 18, 2009.
  6. ""Seattle Fallen Firefighter's Memorial." Seattle Fire Department. City of Seattle, Washington. November 28, 2006". Archived from the original on May 13, 2008. Retrieved March 18, 2009.
  7. Hall, Christina. "Final 3 Chosen for Memorial to Toledo Firefighters." Toledo Blade. June 11, 2007.
  8. Schubert, Ruth. "Memorial Honors 31 Firefighters Who Gave Everything." Seattle Post-Intelligencer. January 24, 1997; Ohlsen, Becky. Seattle: City Guide. Oakland, Calif.: Lonely Planet Books, 2008. ISBN 1-74059-834-2.
  9. "Auto-Lite Strike Memorial." Toledo Blade. May 25, 2006.
  10. "Artist Gives from the Heart to Encourage Young Troubled Souls." Press release. Compass Health. January 21, 2003.
  11. "Compass Health Center Gets Sculpture, Merges With Health Provider." Everett Business Journal. March 1, 2003.
  12. "Northglenn Chooses Sculptor." Rocky Mountain News. October 5, 2001.
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