Today, Congresswoman Lizzie Fletcher (TX-07) announced that Kunyang Li has been selected as the winner of Texas’ Seventh Congressional District’s Congressional Art Competition for his piece, Essential Cowboy.

“I am pleased to announce Kunyang Li as our art competition champion with his thoughtful piece celebrating one of the essential workers who helped keep the world turning while so much of it came to a halt over during the pandemic,” said Congresswoman Lizzie Fletcher.  “His thoughtful piece reflects not only his skill bit also the values of our community.  I thank him and all of the students who submitted their artwork in this competition, demonstrating talent and community engagement that represents our community well.”

Kunyang Li just graduated from Memorial High School and was also a finalist in the 2020 Congressional Art Competition.  His art will hang in the U.S. Capitol along with art from other students across the country starting later this summer.

In his submission Kunyang described his artwork:

“This work is my tribute to the essential workers that kept America moving forward during the pandemic. While health care workers come to mind, our men and women in the transportation industry kept food on our table and supplies in our stores.  They risked exposing themselves so we could have access to essential necessities.  I snapped this photo of one of those drivers in the grocery store parking lot and he caught my eye because he had a cowboy hat and plaid shirt on...he looked like a cowboy!  Instead of a horse, his ride was his truck (‘on a steel horse I ride’).  He truly represented an Essential Texas Cowboy.  I am grateful for these men and women who kept our country rolling during our darkest days.”

Essential Cowboy, Kunyang Li

Every year, the Congressional Institute sponsors the Congressional Art Competition to highlight talented high school artists from across the country.  The winner from each district will have their artwork displayed in the Capitol for one year.  Since the competition’s inception in 1982, more than 700,000 students have submitted art for display.