Spanish artist Dulk’s (Antonio Segura) Protect What You Love polyresin sculpture from Thunder Mates continues his work in drawing attention to the impending destruction of the natural world, in his richly surreal aesthetic. The limited-editon sculpture flows out of his solo art show of the same name currently on display at Tuesday to Friday gallery in Valencia, Spain and his epic, ephemeral sculpture (Ninot) created and then, per tradition, burned for the Falla Municipal of Valencia back in March. Featuring a polar bear stranded on a sliver of arctic ice, the detailed piece unfolds a story that is more than it seems at first glance.
Dulk’s recurring Soul Rider character rides atop the polar bear, its possessions attached to the side of the endangered animal. A potted tree sits just behind the rider, a reminder of the need to preserve nature. The hourglass strapped to the side and the slender patch of greenery on the bear’s back call out the urgency of the situation.
The reverse side of the piece reveals an even more sobering vision. Through cutaway sections we see the machinery of the ‘polar bear’, a robotic stand-in, created perhaps after the worst has already occured. Beyond this stark circumstance, we also see a hopeful sign, the tree is apparently a tiny home for some unseen creature, complete with steps and a door.
An edition of 50, the Protect What You Love polyresin sculpture (8″) is available for pre order via online raffle until Sunday (4.10) @ 6:59 AM PDT from Thunder Mates for $450 with shipping scheduled for May 2022. The sculpture will come in a wooden crate-style box and include a signed/numbered certificate of authenticity.
