The Bear statue in Madrid was transformed into Huichol art by a Mexican artist

At the Fitur 2026 exhibition in Madrid, the iconic Bear and Strawberry Tree statue appeared in an unusual form: Mexican artist César Menchaca transformed it completely using the Huichol technique, covering it with beads that reflect the spirituality and cosmology of Indigenous peoples.

The new version of the sculpture quickly became popular among residents and tourists, temporarily eclipsing the original and becoming a striking work of art in the city centre.

The project symbolises cultural dialogue between Mexico and Spain, uniting tradition and modernity, and the opening ceremony included representatives of Mexican culture and official authorities. According to Menchaca, his aim is to create, through art, bridges of understanding and reflection on global values, turning each object into a meeting point between two worlds.