Rings of Unity – Circles of Inclusion
2008
Bronze and granite

Commissioned by the Beijing Olympic Art Committee for permanent installation in the Beijing Olympic Park, China.

Selected from nearly 2,800 international submissions, Rings of Unity – Circles of Inclusion was created for the 2008 Summer Olympic Games and permanently installed in Beijing Olympic Park. Inspired by the Olympic emblem, the sculpture distills its familiar five interlocking rings into a single encompassing circle—a universal symbol of unity, inclusion, and our shared humanity. Suspended within the steel ring, a monumental granite boulder creates a dynamic equilibrium, expressing both strength and harmony.

The sculpture reflects John Van Alstine's longstanding exploration of balance, landscape, and myth while embracing the Olympic ideals of international friendship and cultural exchange. By transforming the circle into a symbol of common purpose, Rings of Unity – Circles of Inclusion celebrates the enduring power of art to transcend national boundaries and bring people together. The work received a Merit Award and remains in the permanent collection of Beijing Olympic Park.