BEIJING.-John Atkin has been selected from 2,600 applicants to create a new sculpture for the major exhibition at Olympic Park, Beijing later this year. His initial designs received an ‘outstanding award’ from the judging panel.

The sculpture weighs 27 tons and is carved from marble and granite. It takes its inspiration and name - Strange Meeting – from a poem by Wilfred Owen. The poem tells of a dramatic meeting between two dead soldiers who had fought on opposing sides. No longer enemies, they find it possible to see beyond conflict and hatred in a shared awareness of "the truth untold".

‘The Chinese workforce were tremendous – their attention to detail and ability to translate the subtle shifts in form of the sculpture was a remarkable achievement. It was also great to meet a number of artists from other parts of the world’ said John.

‘It’s great to see the Beijing Olympics stimulating new work from artists around the world’ said Clare Hudson of Creative Leicestershire. ‘Similar opportunities for cultural activities around the UK are being planned for the London Olympics – 2012 will be another exciting time for both culture and sport.’

The public art exhibition launches in May 2008 and is based on the 2008 Olympic theme of One World, One Dream. John’s sculpture allows people to walk through the spaces between each element of the sculpture. The two identical, shapes, based on garment template contour patterns, are cut from the same veined block, turned inward on each other.