A monumental sculptural figure strides forward through invisible resistance. One hand shields a heart-shaped opening cut through the chest, while the other grips a staff planted firmly into the ground. Its posture suggests motion, endurance, and deliberate will.
By day, the heart appears as a visible absence carved into the body. By night, a flame burns within the cavity, turning the void into a source of light.
This artwork reflects on perseverance. Throughout our lives, we move towards our dreams, overcoming external forces – personal trauma, political upheavals, displacement, and self-doubt. The open heart symbolizes the scars of our lived experience that we carry inside—the fire within stands for love, resilience, and the inexhaustible desire to live. The staff becomes a symbol of direction, purpose, and conscious will.
The piece includes a participatory element. Inscribed on the staff are three questions:
Who are you?
Where are you going?
And why?
Below the inscription, a marked handgrip invites viewers to engage with the artwork. Upon contact, a beam of light projects into the sky — a symbolic gesture that transforms private intention into a visible statement. The act is a brief but ceremonial moment of deep introspection, where personal resolve becomes part of a shared experience.
