Dr. David Bruce, a member of the North Carolina Statuary Hall Committee, called the clay model “the most magnificent representation.” Graham is “leaning forward, almost standing on his toes but not quite, leading with his left foot,” said Bruce, “and he’s in a preaching mode but it’s an inviting mode. He is compelling people to the truth.”
When asked what the subject would think of the artwork, Bruce said Graham “would not understand it fully, just because of his humble nature.”
“But I think he would understand the way this has been captured,” said Bruce, “that it is an invitation to Christ. The compelling part of this is the invitation, as though he’s saying, ‘Come and see.’”
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Previously, Fagan has created sculptures of former presidents Ronald Reagan, George H.W. Bush, and George W. Bush. While waiting for final approval of his Billy Graham project, he said, “Every sculpture is a story, and I’m trying to communicate that.” In a February 2023 interview, Fagan added, “My dream is to witness when the ceremony is done, the tourists are coming through the Capitol. I’d love to see that.”
