Wisdom

Established wildlife sculptor Steve Winterburn did not set out to create a sculpture inspired by the famous Marvel superhero Black Panther, yet his travels and research in South Africa led to the creation of an anthropomorphic panther who wore a bone necklace much like those worn by the tribes he encountered. The resulting reaction from Steve’s collectors over the undeniable resemblance to the Marvel character led to the creation of this collection; however, the signs, symbols and animal behind this artwork go further than any comic book references.

The artist’s travels have fostered an interest in mythology from around the world including Greek, Persian, Middle Eastern and beyond. In many of these cultures, animals are synonymous with aspects of mythology and can be seen in historic temples and depictions. Winterburn notes that in the past, realistic references for ferocious animals like panthers were not as readily available as they are today. Consequently, the depiction of animals in temples focuses on a sense of power and presence rather than realism. Not only did this influence the sculptural form and composition of Winterburn’s piece but also the tribal decoration on the collar. The inspiration for these designs comes from his exploration of temples and also his love of tattoos as a visual language that can reference ancient imagery from Celtic, Middle Eastern, and Sanskrit cultures.

A profound sculpture that contains striking references to antiquity and contemporary culture, you can view the full collection here or learn more about Steve Winterburn and his sculptural career on our blog.