The National Park College (NPC) Makerspace has partnered with local artist Longhua
Xu to assist with creating a three-dimensional scan of his sculpture, “The Visitor.”
Makerspace staff Michael Karr and Joel Rush visited Xu’s studio downtown Hot Springs
last week. Karr used a three-dimensional scanner to create a rendering of the piece
that can be used to make a mold and eventually reproduce the work into a 12-foot bronze
statue. Xu is working with the City of Hot Springs and plans to locate the statue
downtown near Bridge Street and Malvern Avenue.
Xu’s sculpture is a Native American woman on a horse in a long flowing skirt with
one arm extended confidently in the air holding a wooden staff. The original plan
for the statue included a male Native American. Xu lost his wife, Shun Ying, unexpectedly
earlier this year and said he decided to sculpt a female subject after reflecting
on the important contributions women have made in our society. “I realized, after
checking out the history, that there are a lot of sculptures that feature the male
power, but not many for the women.”
He wanted to capture the strength of a woman while also honoring his late wife. Xu
said the change made the sculpture better because it allowed for more movement in
the design. He is proud of how the final design turned out. He hopes it will serve
as a memory for the Native American people who were first to this area and for his
late wife who contributed so much to their family.
Xu was born and raised in Shanghai, China, but said he has lived here for over 30
years and considers Hot Springs his home. He relocated his family here for a professor
exchange program. He also taught art classes at National Park College many years ago.
Learn more about Xu and “The Visitor” project.
Pictured is Longhua Xu with his sculpture, “The Visitor.” View the complete album of photos.
