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Tue. 8:59 a.m.: ‘Rumors of War’ statue to be installed in Richmond

In this Sept. 27 file photo, a bronze sculpture, "Rumors of War," by artist Kehinde Wiley, appears in Times Square in New York. Wiley’s monumental bronze sculpture of a young black man astride a galloping horse is set to be permanently installed today in Virginia’s capital city, not far from the Confederate monument it mimics. An unveiling ceremony for “Rumors of War” will be held this afternoon at the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts in Richmond. (AP Photo/Bebeto Matthews, File)

RICHMOND, Va. (AP) — Artist Kehinde Wiley’s monumental bronze sculpture of a young black man astride a galloping horse is set to be permanently installed in Virginia’s capital city, not far from the Confederate monument it mimics.

An unveiling ceremony for “Rumors of War” will be held this afternoon at the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts in Richmond. The piece was previously on display in Times Square.

The 29-foot-high work was inspired by Wiley’s visit to Richmond, where he encountered another massive equestrian monument, the one honoring Confederate Gen. J.E.B. Stuart. Mounted atop a large stone pedestal, Wiley’s sculpture will be visible from the city’s historic Arthur Ashe Boulevard.

Wiley is known for his paintings of black Americans and his commissioned portrait of former President Barack Obama, displayed at the National Portrait Gallery.

He is scheduled to give remarks today, along with Gov. Ralph Northam, Richmond Mayor Levar Stoney and others. Hundreds are expected to attend.

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