Bellevue Welcomes 'JuJu' Pig Sculpture For New Year

BELLEVUE, WA— From The City of Bellevue: The City of Bellevue will celebrate the lunar year of the pig by hosting a statue of a golden hog at City Hall in May and June.

Seattle artist Zuolie Deng created the life-size, fiberglass pig named Ju Ju (珠珠) for the Washington State Asian Pacific Education & Culture Foundation, Washington State Sichuan Friendship Association and Wing Luke Museum. Ju Ju, a sister to Rachel, the large bronze piggy bank permanently at Pike Place Market, is to be displayed at locations around Puget Sound. Ju Ju has red coins on her belly, calligraphy on her back and peonies on her cheeks.

The City Council adopted a vision in 2014 with the opening statement, “Bellevue welcomes the world.” The city continues to welcome the world through cultural programming and community engagement opportunities.

Ju Ju’s exhibition at City Hall, sponsored by the city’s Diversity Advantage Initiative and Arts and Culture program, celebrates diverse communities in Bellevue. Asian Americans represent a third of the city’s population.

Ju Ju, which can be translated as “Golden Pearl,” symbolizes prosperity, good luck and longevity. The lunar calendar, with dates celebrated in much of Asia, follows a 12-year cycle, with a different animal for each year. 2019 is the year of the earthen or golden pig.

Visitors can see Ju Ju on the first floor of City Hall any weekday, May 20- June 30. A free public lunch reception featuring Deng, the artist, will be at City Hall on Thursday, May 30, 12:30-2:30 p.m.

Questions about the display? Reach out to Yuriana Garcia Tellez (425-452-7886 or ygarcia@bellevuewa.gov).