I Had a Dream

The Work

Two marble pieces inscribed with poetry and natural forms reflect the artist's interest in balance between the built and natural environments. Donated by a Vancouver Island quarry, the 5.5 tonnes of white marble were slowly transformed by the artist over a 3-month period, using a hammer and chisel to shave off pieces of the rocks’ rough gray exterior to reveal the silky material beneath. Polishing was done with an electric sander.

Zhao Lei’s inspiration comes from a poem he wrote which can be found inscribed in English and Chinese on the larger piece:

“...I saw a stone in the wilderness. Ripples of water were frozen on the surface of the stone, just like fossils, … but there is a sad story behind it forever - the tragedy of humanity. I hope this will not be our future, and will remain a dream.”

Zhao Lei's work reflects his fear that an ever-advancing industrial society will so damage the environment that only fossilized remains of life will remain. The artist comments further, 'When I create I can hear the sound of a drop of water, of insects singing and I am one with nature… I hope the public will understand the relationship and the power of art in shaping culture and societies.'

The Project

The work was created during the Okanagan Thompson International Sculpture Symposium. The Symposium, from May to September of 2002, was hosted by 8 communities in south central B.C., from Osoyoos to Kamloops.

A juried competition in October 2001 led to commissions for 20 sculptors from across Canada and around the world to work in a region-wide “open air” gallery. Residents and visitors had the opportunity to see works of art fashioned from raw materials while discussing passions and inspirations with the artists. Each of the participating communities benefits from the legacy of the permanent works of art and the opportunity to observe and interact with the artists over an extended period of time. This work is one of 4 acquired by the City of Kelowna as a result of the Symposium.

The Artist

Zhao Lei is a 1995 graduate of the Central Academy of Fine Art in Beijing, China. He is a member of the China Sculpture Institute and the Sculpture Professional Committee of China. Intrigued by the shapes and forms of our physical environment, he draws his inspiration from the power and complexities of nature. He has exhibited extensively in China using stone, wood, iron, steel, snow and ice.