Prime Minister Andrew Holness has hailed internationally renowned Jamaican sculptor Basil Watson on the installation of a bronze sculpture of The Reverend Martin Luther King Jr. in Atlanta, Georgia.

The monument, titled ‘Hope Moving Forward’, is located at the intersection of Northside Drive and Martin Luther King Jr. Drive near Mercedes-Benz Stadium as part of the City’s MLK Innovation Corridor Project.

It pays tribute to King’s walk toward peace and equality for all people.

Holness, in paying tribute to Watson on Twitter earlier today, noted that Watson’s sculpture proposal was chosen ahead of more than 80 talented applicants.

The selection committee included representatives from the Mayor’s Office of Cultural Affairs (OCA), MARTA, and Clark Atlanta University and the artwork is the first of seven installations commissioned to honour the legacy and global influence of the civil rights leader.

“This sculpture is a fitting and timely tribute to Atlanta’s son,” said Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms during the installation and ribbon cutting/dedication ceremony held on January 14.

“Atlanta is the cradle of the civil rights movement and is the birth home and final resting place of [King]. Erecting this sculpture underscores our Administration’s commitment to creating our vision of One Atlanta while celebrating [King’s] dream of a beloved community.”

She added: “Both aspire to create societies based on justice, equal opportunity, and love of one’s fellow human beings. Thank you to all who had a role in creating this tribute sure to inspire generations of Atlantans.”

In Jamaica, Watson, a member of the Order of Distinction (Commander Class), is responsible for many iconic monuments, including statue at the National Stadium of sprinters Usain Bolt, Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, Merlene Ottey, Herb McKenley, Asafa Powell and Veronica Campbell-Brown.