WASHINGTON DC, United States — The statue of Martin Luther King Jr. emerging from the Stone of Hope at the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial, located at the Tidal Basin in Washington DC. This powerful sculpture, by Chinese artist Lei Yixin, honors the legacy of the civil rights leader and his vision for equality and justice. The scroll in his hand is the text of his I Have a Dream Speech.
Photograph by David Coleman. The Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial in Washington DC features a striking 30-foot-tall statue of the civil rights leader, emerging from a massive block of granite known as the Stone of Hope. Created by Chinese artist Lei Yixin, this imposing sculpture depicts Dr. King with a stern, thoughtful expression, his arms folded across his chest, gazing across the Tidal Basin towards the Jefferson Memorial. The statue is carved from pale granite. This design is inspired by a line from King's famous "I Have a Dream" speech: "Out of the mountain of despair, a stone of hope." The sculpted likeness of Dr. King stands as if he has stepped forward from the stone, symbolizing progress emerging from the struggle for civil rights. Surrounding the central statue, the memorial includes a crescent-shaped Inscription Wall featuring quotations from King's speeches, sermons, and writings. These words provide context and depth to the visual representation of the civil rights leader, allowing visitors to engage with his ideas and legacy. The memorial's location on the Tidal Basin places it in dialogue with other nearby monuments to American presidents, emphasizing King's importance in the nation's history. During spring, the cherry blossom trees surrounding the memorial add a beautiful, ephemeral quality to the site, contrasting with the permanence of the stone sculpture. This powerful monument not only honors Dr. King's contributions to the civil rights movement but also serves as a reminder of the ongoing struggle for equality and justice in America. The collaboration between American vision and Chinese artistry in creating this memorial adds an international dimension to its significance, reflecting the global impact of Dr. King's message.
Size: 8256px × 5504px
Location: Tidal Basin, Washington DC, District of Columbia, United States
Photo credit: © David Coleman | Have Camera Will Travel / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No
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