The Sculptor Who Created The Dwyane Wade Statue Defends The Piece Amid Negative Reaction

The sculptor behind the recently unveiled Dwyane Wade statue outside the Kaseya Center has defended the piece amid a wave of criticism.

The statue, which depicts Wade in a dynamic pose celebrating a game-winning shot, has been the subject of much debate on social media, with many criticizing its exaggerated facial expression.

The statue was designed to capture Wade’s iconic NBA moment in 2009, when he leapt onto a scorer’s table after hitting a buzzer-beating three-pointer against the Chicago Bulls.

Dwyane Wade’s Heat career
-15 seasons
-3 championships
-All-time leader in points, games, assists, and steals
-1 completely unrecognizable statue

pic.twitter.com/KgrwAfLWOB

— Barstool Sports (@barstoolsports) October 27, 2024

The sculptor, Omri Amrany, aimed to convey the intensity and emotion of that moment, rather than simply creating a realistic likeness of Wade.

However, the statue’s unique style has drawn criticism from prominent figures like Shaquille O’Neal and Charles Barkley. Shaq described the statue as “the scariest thing this Halloween,” while Barkley suggested it should be taken down and redone.

Sculptor Defends Dwyane Wade Statue

Despite the negative feedback, Amrany remains steadfast in his artistic vision. He argues that the statue is not meant to be a traditional portrait, but rather a representation of Wade’s impact on the game and his connection to the city of Miami.

“The purpose of the sculpture was not meant to be a product of portrait realism, but to capture the essence and story behind the subject,” Amrany explained.

“They’re missing the whole story of a child who had nothing, who became everything, and that was his expression when he jumped on the table and told his hometown team, ‘This is my house.'”

Amrany, who has previously created statues for other notable athletes like Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant, noted that initial reactions to the Jordan statue were similarly mixed. “They didn’t like that his face wasn’t right off a cereal box,” he recalled.

However, over time, it has become a beloved icon and a symbol of Chicago’s basketball heritage. He believes that the Wade statue will eventually be appreciated in the same way.

Dwyane Wade asked if he saw any reaction to statue:

“Yeah, I have an i-phone.”

He added:

“Social media world is about opinions. Send some memes. We don’t care. It was a special moment yesterday, my family and I.”

It don’t need to look like me. It’s an artistic version of me.” pic.twitter.com/18nDsAWFw2

— Will Manso (@WillManso) October 28, 2024