A 24-inch tall, bronze bust sculpture of the late Charlie Munger sparked conversations among guests staying at the Omaha Marriott during the Berkshire Hathaway annual meeting last weekend. The hotel, located next to Berkshire-owned jewelry store Borsheims, was a favorite spot for the investment icon whenever he visited his hometown and the Berkshire headquarters of his longtime partner Warren Buffett.
The sculpture, displayed in the lobby alongside glasses of champagne and brochures, caught the eye of numerous Berkshire shareholders passing by. Among the intrigued spectators were Munger’s daughter Wendy and his longtime executive assistant Doerthe Obert. The artist behind the sculpture, 39-year-old Yu Shu, recounted an encounter with Obert, who had come down to the lobby twice in search of Yu.
Yu Shu, a real estate agent-turned artist and Berkshire shareholder herself, embarked on an unexpected visit to Munger’s home in Los Angeles in March 2023. Although she was unable to meet Munger in person, she was able to gather close-up shots of his profile from Obert to help perfect the facial details of the sculpture. It took Yu a year and several attempts to complete the final version of the Munger bust. Inspired by Warren Buffett’s advice to follow one’s passion, Yu decided to turn her love for art and Berkshire into a business venture.
Attracted by Buffett’s words at the 2022 annual meeting, Yu was motivated to pursue her passion for art and turn it into a profitable venture. She offers full-sized bronze busts of Munger for $19,500 each, along with half-sized cold cast bronze busts priced at $595. Yu, who hails from Chengdu, China, and splits her time between Denver and Taiwan, is currently working on creating large-scale sculptures of Buffett. For Yu, Munger has always been a personal hero, making him the perfect subject for her debut sculpture.
Yu likened the process of creating a bronze sculpture to value investing, emphasizing the importance of patience and persistence in both endeavors. Her dedication to capturing Munger’s likeness in the bust demonstrates her commitment to her craft. Over the years, Yu has attended 10 Berkshire annual meetings, drawing inspiration from the investment teachings of Buffett and Munger.
During the Berkshire Hathaway annual meeting, a longtime shareholder acquired the Munger bust that graced the lobby of the Marriott. The purchaser, who chose to remain anonymous, expressed a desire to present the artwork to the Munger family. This gesture symbolizes the admiration and respect that Munger commanded among both shareholders and artists like Yu Shu.