The name Raoul Wallenberg embraces two pillars that represent the lasting spirit of solidarity that inspired this great man.
The unfolded shapes at the top of the sculpture make direct reference to the passports used by the diplomat.
The artwork is made in bronze (32.5 cm X 21.7 cm X 9.5 cm) by the Argentine sculptress Norma D´Ippólito at the request of the International Raoul Wallenberg Foundation.
The sculptures ”Homage to Raoul Wallenberg” are located in:
- the headquartes of the UNESCO, in Paris. Unveiled on May 1999. Presented by the IRWF to Federico Mayor, General Director of UNESCO.
- the offices of U.S. Congressman Tom Lantos. Presented to the Congressman on May 1999 by the IRWF.
- the German Embassy in Argentina. Unveiled on september 1999. Presented to Ambassador Hans Ulrich Spohn by the IRWF. Installed at the German Embassy in Buenos Aires as an historic testimony.
- the Swedish Embassy in Argentina. Unveiled on december 1999. The sculpture was presented to Ambassador Peter Landelius by the IRWF and installed at the Swedish Embassy in Buenos Aires.
- the Presidency of Latvia, in Riga. The International Raoul Wallenberg Foundation presented the President of the Republic of Latvia, H.E. Vaira Vike Freiberga with the sculpture on May 15, 2000.
- the offices of the Argentine daily newspaper La Nacion. Unveiled on January 2000 with a commemorative plaque remembering the heroic deeds of the Swedish diplomat. Presented by the IRWF to La Nación CEO Dr. Julio Saguier.
- the US Embassy in Argentina. Unveiled on march 2000. Presented by the IRWF to the Chargé d’ affairs of the US Embassy, Victor Manuel Rocha. The sculpture is permanently shown at the consular section of the American Embassy.
- the Vatican Mission to the United Nations. Unveiled on September 2000. Presented by the IRWF to Cardinal Angelo Sodano, Secretary of State of the Holy See and to Apostolic Nuncio Monsignor Renato Martino.
- the Presidency of Germany. Unveiled on March 2001 at the Presidential Residence in Berlin.,Presented by Baruch Tenembaum, founder of the IRWF, to the President of the Federal Republic of Germany, Johannes Rau.
- the Portugal Delegation in Manhattan. Presented on April 2001 to Mrs. Sheila Fleischacker, granddaughter of portuguese rescuer Aristides de Sousa Mendes.
- the Embassy of Poland in Argentina. Unveiled on June 2001. Presented by the IRWF to the Polish Ambassador Eugeniusz Noworyta.
- the Portuguese Embassy in Argentina. Unveiled on July 2001. Presented by the IRWF to Ambassador Augusto Seabra.
Norma D’Ippólito
She was born in Buenos Aires in 1943. Graduated at the Fine Arts National School Prilidiano Pueyrredón and at the Fine Arts National School Ernesto de la Cárcova. Diplome de Hautes Etudes Françaises, Paris 1974.
She was an Art History teacher at the Women Council Library (1976-1981). She gave the seminar ”Approach to the world of Shapes”, at the Belgrano University (1986).
Since 1980 she has received more than 20 awards, among others: Salón de Otoño San Fernando Sculpture Award, 1985; Second Prize in Sculpture, Belgrano University (1985); Second Prize in Sculpture, San Isidro Municipality (1987). Since 1978 she participates in the main Exhibition Halls in the country, National Hall, Manuel Belgrano Municipal Hall and Santa Fe Annual Hall, among others. Since 1984 she has organized individual exhibitions among which it is worth mentioning Wildestein Gallery, AMC Gallery, Suipacha Gallery, Belgrano University, Euroamerica Galleries (Barcelona), Euroamerica Gallery (New York).
She has been chosen to participate in: Arché Foundation Award MNBA 1983; Wildestein Gallery Exhibition of Argentine Art Today (1990); Palatina Gallery Exhibition in homage to Rembrandt (1991); AMC Gallery Retrospective Exhibition of the Argentine Sculpture of the 20th century (1992); Zurbarán Gallery (1993 and 1997). She has exhibited in Arte BA (1991-1994-1995-1996-1998).
Her artworks are owned by: San Martín de Tours Church, Buenos. Aires; Alcal Institute, Buneos Aires; Municipal Velodrome; Parque Patricios Municipal Recreational Center; Raggio Foundation; Chacabuco Park Recreational Center; 1st Infantry Regiment ‘Patricios’; Contemporary Latin-American Museum; Rally Foundation, Punta del Este, Uruguay; Huésped Foundation, Buenos. Aires; Private collections in Argentina, Venezuela, Uruguay, Brazil, Canada, France, Israel and the USA.
