In Times Square Friday, artist Kehinde Wiley unveiled his first large-scale public sculpture, which will be moved to the VMFA in December.
Wiley got the idea for the sculpture after experiencing what it was like as a black man walking down Richmond’s Monument Avenue.
“I’m looking up at those things that give me a sense of dread and fear, what does that feel like to walk a public space and have your state, your country, your nation say ‘this is what we stand by.’ No!”
This is Kehinde Wiley's first public work of art.
"Without further ado, I think it's time to unveil something."
“Rumors of War” is about 30 feet tall and shows a black man in a hoodie pull back the reins of a muscular horse - in the same pose at the JEB Stuart statue. The statue comes to Richmond in December, where it will be placed outside the VMFA.
*Jon Kalish provided the audio for this story.
