In commemoration of the 92nd birthday anniversary of his father, the late President Chiang Kai-shek, President Chiang Ching-kuo wrote an article entitled "To Think of My Father, to Persist in Pursuing My Goal, and to Dedicate Myself to My Country." Part of the text reads: "A young sculptor, Lin Tsung-hui, spent six months in the mountains around Hualien looking for a slab of pure white marble, and then carved it into a three-foot full-length standing figure of my father. With long gown and walking stick, father looks aweinspiring but serene, self-assured but benign. I accepted with gratitude and respect the sincere and precious gift from the sculptor and placed it at the front of the desk in my office. When I am busy attending to a complicated task, and perhaps feeling the pressure of responsibility, I raise my head and look at the statue of my father. Suddenly, I feel that he is talking to me in a gentle voice encouraging me to collect my thoughts and relax. I immediately feel refreshed and invigorated. When I am distressed and pondering over some intractable problem, the wisdom which seems to emanate from the eyes of father's statue penetrates into my being, and I suddenly see the solution." Lin Tsung-hui carved the statue of the late Generalissimo as a gift for President Chiang Ching-kuo on his inauguration as President, and as a token of Lin's respect for and enduring remembrance of the great leader. The best known marble in China comes from Tali County in Yunnan Province. Although the marble quarried in Hualien County in eastern Taiwan may not be of the same high quality, it has similar colors and patterns as "Tali stone." Since carving the marble statue of the late President Chiang Kai-shek had unique significance to Lin, he visited the marble quarries near Hualien at least three times a month to look for a piece of material which was worthy of being fashioned into his masterwork. Starting his search in July 1977 in a mood of pilgrimage and sanctity, it was not until December of the same year that he finally found a piece of pure white marble devoid of any surface irregularities, after overcoming discouraging setbacks and even personal danger. "Compared with wood carving, marble carving is very difficult to control. You must carefully consider the grain in the raw material to prevent it from splitting during the chiseling process. You must also have the physical strength to hold the electrical chisel, which weighs about seven kilograms, for several hours at a time. Precision is also very important. Other forms of carving allow some corrections, but in marble, there must not be a single miscalculation. A slip of the chisel or hammer may turn a work of art into a worthless article." His words are a reflection of Michelangelo's 15th century assessment: "The greatest artist has no conception which a single block of marble does not potentially contain within its mass, and only a hand obedient to the mind can penetrate into this image." In an attempt to capture the indomitable spirit of the late Generalissimo, Lin carefully examined the pictures of the great leader from different angles, and browsed through all the writings he could find about the nature of his ideals and the essence of his thoughts. He recalled: "While I was completing the work, the carving of the statue occupied every single moment of my life. My wife made jokes about my powdery appearance which make me look like a baker, and my children chuckled over my untidy clothing. But, understanding the importance of this work to me, my wife willingly undertook the whole responsibility of looking after the family. The children too cooperated to allow me to complete my work without interruption." After he had finished the marble statue in May 1978, Lin personally delivered it to the Presidential Office. President Chiang Ching-kuo remarked in his June 16 hand-written thank you note to Lin: "The refined quality and marvellous virtuosity displayed in the marble sculpture are the best proof of your sincere respect for and loyalty to my Father. I would like to reciprocate by expressing my heartiest appreciation and respects to you." Lin said: "It is the greatest honor possible for an artist to receive the compliments of the national leader of his country." He was greatly encouraged and vowed he would continue to pursue his efforts to perfect his art.

President Chiang Ching-kuo receives Lin to express his appreciation for the gift and respect for the sculptor's work.

Lin looking for a suitable piece of marble, carving an outline for the statue and applying the finishing touches

the vast resources of marble in the Hualien area.

Lin seen during time set aside to be with his family

Lin's masterpiece: "Bitterness"

concentrating on his work.