Polar Bear | Artwork

Russian-born sculptor Viktor E. Bougaev (b. 1959) created this stylized granite sculpture of a polar bear poised to dive into water. The base of the artwork is inscribed “The final frontier.”

The piece was produced during Quebec’s 2007 Stanstead Granite International Sculpture Symposium. Along with the Stanstead Granite Industry, the artist donated the work to the Lincoln Park Zoo.

Bougaev immigrated to the United States from Russia in 1992. He sculpts in various mediums, such as ceramic, bronze, and wood, but typically utilizes granite. He has displayed his work at both the International Art Shows and Pier Walk, two exhibition venues in Chicago. Bougaev is a member of the Ocean Artists Society.