Kelly Haney likes looks of `The Guardian'

<br>OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) _ Kelly Haney was well pleased Thursday as his huge bronze statute, titled ``The Guardian,'' arrived at the Capitol, strapped down on a flatbed truck. <br><br>The sculpture

Friday, May 31st 2002, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) _ Kelly Haney was well pleased Thursday as his huge bronze statute, titled ``The Guardian,'' arrived at the Capitol, strapped down on a flatbed truck.

The sculpture measures more than 22 feet from its base to the top of the spear carried by the Indian warrior. It weighs about three tons.

Haney, a state senator from Seminole and a candidate for governor, said he was getting excited about the June 7 hoisting of the statue atop the new Capitol dome.

First, the statue will go on public display beginning Saturday outside the north steps of the Capitol.

Haney, a well-known American Indian artist and sculptor, created the model for the large bronze.

He praised the finished product, including texture added at the foundry.

``It's very dramatic,'' he said. ``I can't think of a large piece of art I have seen from throughout the world that is any better constructed from a technical standpoint.''

Visitors to the Capitol next week will be able to touch the statue and take pictures of it.

Haney said he plans to be the last person to touch it before it is placed on top of the building.

It may be 125 years before the statue is taken down to be cleaned, he said.

Haney, a full-blood Seminole-Creek, used features of his children and grandchildren in sculpting ``The Guardian,'' which he said honors all Oklahomans for their values and independent spirit.