The Unknown and the Mermaids

Andrey Ostashov • Series "2020"
Bronze, granite. 58?29, h = 101 cm

Visually, this sculptural composition evokes the traditional equestrian monuments of great military commanders and rulers, a lineage that traces back to the monumental Renaissance masterpiece—Donatello's Monument to the Condottiero Gattamelata.
The iconography of the piece follows the classical model: the rider is shown not in mid-gallop, but in a stately, ceremonial gait with one of the horse’s legs extended forward. The figure sits upright and confident; one hand rests upon the mane or is raised in a gesture, while the other holds the reins.
In this work, however, the master has placed a fragile female figure atop a stylized horse characterized by elongated limbs, a toy-like mane, and a simplified rendering of the face. Every detail—the ceremonial saddle with its fringe, the tiny mermaids tied to the harness, the teddy bear in the girl’s arms, the ship crowned with a bear upon her head, the curious boxing glove on the horse’s chest, and the "toy" shield upon her back—points to a realm of childhood fantasy and fairytales. The image is defined by a childlike naivety that, nevertheless, possesses a distinct sense of drama.