Polar King began with a memory from childhood: the first polar bear I ever saw was a taxidermy specimen prepared by my uncle. Standing over ten feet tall, it was an awe-inspiring introduction to the animal’s immense scale and power.
Later, I had opportunities to observe polar bears in the wild and to see one closely at a friend’s compound. He had raised the bear from a cub and trained it for film work. Watching it rise onto its hind legs brought back that childhood sense of wonder and gave me a lasting appreciation of its formidable presence.
In Polar King, I wanted to portray an apex predator on the hunt—focused, purposeful, and moving forward. One front paw lifts above the jagged base, while the extended head and broad body carry the movement through the sculpture.
Carved from Carrara marble, the bear combines strong, smooth forms with details suggesting its heavy coat. The pale stone and natural grey veining complement the animal, while the rough-edged base evokes the terrain beneath its feet.
