The Bittersweet Encounter with an Abandoned Bear

Iñigo Jerez Quintana, a Spanish graphic designer, encountered an abandoned bear while walking from his studio to a work meeting in Poblenou, Barcelona. He describes the bear using the French term "objet trouvé," which refers to found objects that gain new meaning through their context. Quintana noted the striking color match between the bear's fur and the wall paint, which he believes anchors a childish stereotype in an incongruous setting.

The Guardian

Quintana's photography is driven by visual impulses, capturing moments that resonate with him. He reflects on a past depressive period that led him to compulsively take photos as a form of therapy. “It allowed me to tolerate a reality that, without being reinterpreted through an aesthetic lens, was very hard for me to cope with,” he explains. This process of capturing the strange and beautiful has been instrumental in his recovery, allowing him to find meaning in unexpected places.

The Guardian

The bear, for Quintana, represents a complex emotional landscape. He describes the feeling it evokes as both comfortable and uncomfortable, labeling the moment as "bittersweet." This duality reflects his personal journey and the broader human experience of finding beauty in the mundane or discarded.

The Guardian

Quintana's relationship with stuffed toys is nuanced; he was not fond of them as a child. However, he recounts giving his son a stuffed leopard, which has remained with him for over a decade. This connection to childhood and the act of finding the bear on the street adds layers to his artistic expression, intertwining personal history with the present moment.

The Guardian

• “I take photos based on visual impulses; anything that catches my eye,” — Iñigo Jerez Quintana, Graphic Designer

The Guardian

• “Capturing everything that mixed the strange with the beautiful helped me recover.” — Iñigo Jerez Quintana, Graphic Designer

The Guardian

• “The bear feels comfortable and uncomfortable at the same time.” — Iñigo Jerez Quintana, Graphic Designer

The Guardian

Iñigo Jerez Quintana's encounter with the abandoned bear serves as a poignant reminder of the intersection between art, memory, and emotional healing. Through his lens, he transforms a simple moment into a narrative that resonates with the complexities of life, illustrating how found objects can evoke deep reflections on personal and collective experiences.

The Guardian