The monumental work depicts a group of Chinese students, some of whom later became revolutionaries and statesmen, such as Zhou Enlai and Deng Xiaoping, or made significant achievements in science, arts and literature, such as modern artist Xu Beihong.

"The work profiles a collective of ambitious young people who were vigorous and aspired to reform China and the world," Wu says.

Renowned writer Yu Qiuyu had written in an article in 2017 that Wu "is immersed in a quiet dialogue with the universe via sculpting day and night", and that his works "preserve the grandeur of the lives of people".

Wu says only when artworks spotlight the Chinese spirit and culture and the shared beliefs of humankind, would they be truly needed by people all over the world.

Contact the writer at linqi@chinadaily.com.cn