Artist Sergio Furnari created a six-foot bronze sculpture of Charlie Kirk, only to realize that there is no market for it.
Last week, it was reported that a life-sized statue of Charlie Kirk, late founder of TurningPointUSA, was set to be unveiled soon. Standing at 6-foot-4-inches, the bronze-colored statue was actually made from steel and resin. Artist Sergio Furnari had footed the entire bill himself, which – according to him – cost him $100,000. Only now he realizes that there is no market for the work.
Initially, Furnari had hoped that some rich benefactor might wish to purchase the sculpture. The news coverage definitely bought it in the limelight, yet no patron appeared. Furnari then took a different route and started an online fundraiser. The initial goal was $150,000, to cover all the costs, and then a figure in millions to cover the cost of a national tour. However, as of Wednesday, the fundraiser only collected $1,4000.
The lack of enthusiasm is not a reflection on the Sergio Furnari himself, who has created some successful sculptures in the past. These included a monumental sculpture of football Christiano Ronaldo, and a life-sized installation of the iconic 1932 photograph Lunch Atop a Skyscraper. Rather, it is the controversial subject of his latest work that’s proving difficult to find a buyer.
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Furnari also revealed that he has received online threats of vandalizing his studio, which currently houses the Charlie Kirk statue (the statue was already vandalized previously in public). He still plans to unveil the statue at Times Square on September 10.
