In this conceptual bronze sculpture, Vicente de Espona reduces the figure of a hen to a large, refined curve. Its beak, comb and tail make the bird recognisable, while the body becomes an open, abstract form.
The sculpture can be displayed in three positions, with the beak pointing downwards, straight ahead or upwards. Each position subtly changes its expression and offers a different reading of the same form.
The direction of the beak can suggest different states of mind: humility and introspection when it points down, contemplation or anticipation when it is level, and confidence or defiance when it points up.
This flexibility invites viewers to take an active part in interpreting the work. The hen becomes more than a familiar animal: it can also be read as a metaphor for human attitudes.
V. de Espona