As with some other of my creations, this piece started with a hand carved bear pendant dedicated to the idea of chasing your dreams while having fun ("work hard, play hard").

In the initial design, the bear was to chase a star above his head.When I got the bizarre idea that the bear should be ice skating-which is a symbol of play but also sort of a paradox combining the usually clumpishness associated with the animal with an unexpected grace and sophistication of ice skating-, I needed an icy surface.That’s how I got the idea of expanding this pendant into an “objet”, a desk sculpture that could develop the idea a little further.The cuter/earthier salmon came to replace the star and I emphasized the harshness of the environment with the Siberia-like winter scene on the board.

The whole piece represent unexpected grace of a powerful character who is going after his living with a fun & optimistic attitude: it’s an homage to all , whom despite difficult living conditions and under duress still find a way to have fun & get what they are chasing effortlessly. The “Hunger games” captures this survival & rebellious adventure where a hero has to fight  smart through what looks like a game or ultimate challenge.

I ust love this piece that took months to evolve & shape up into this final scene that evokes, beyond its naturalist expression, so many  moral & philosophical dimensions of life...