My ceramic and porcelain sculpture "Heart Broken Satyr" is life-sized, as large as a human figure, and represents my transformation throughout personal grief. Set on a base that resembles a sepulcher, measuring 80 cm tall, 180 cm long, and 80 cm wide, the piece explores the complex relationships between humans, non-human creatures, and the environment, with a particular focus on endangered species.
For years, I immersed myself in forests, where I became inspired by the threatened beauty of ever more endangered plants and trees to create this work. This ceramic sculpture reimagines the myth of Demeter and Persephone, depicting a heartbroken satyr transforming into nature itself, inspired by Ovid's *Metamorphoses*.
The sculpture delves into themes of life, death, and rebirth, portraying a faun at the brink of death, revitalized by the divine rain of Demeter as she mourns the loss of her abducted daughter Persephone. The satyr’s transformation is captured through the sprouting of fingers, the skin turning into bark, and flowers blooming from his chest. Thus, the sculpture symbolizes the eternal cycle of life, death, and rebirth, reflecting the intrinsic harmony with nature.
In this work, I have simulated different textures, such as tree bark and stone, using a combination of various clays and ceramic glazing techniques. Beyond myth, the piece also reflects on the deep connection between living beings and the environment, emphasizing the impact of ecological change on all forms of life.
