To produce the images that convey his fatalistic and ironic approach to life, tinged with hope, he needed the environment and knowledge of Mother Russia, oiled with a bit of bribery to certain circus trainers. Enter the Great Russian Bear, the personification of Russia for the last several centuries, onto center stage and into his studio. The bear is recognized as both brutish and cute – Misha was the mascot for the 1980 Olympic Games – and has remained a symbol of Russia since Tsarist times. In 2009 it is the symbol of the United Russia Party.

A pitch invader during the 2018 FIFA World Cup Final between France and Croatia at Luzhniki Stadium on July 15, 2018 in Moscow, Russia. p*ssy Riot claimed responsibility for the pitch invasion, tweeting: “Just a few minutes ago four p*ssy Riot members performed in the FIFA World Cup final match – «Policeman enters the Game»”. (Photo by Darren Staples/Reuters)

Cosplay fans (R) take selfies as comic book and gaming fans attend the annual Ani-Com and Games Fair in Hong Kong on July 28, 2017. Tens of thousands were expected to attend the annual event on animation, comics and games, from July 28 to August 1. (Photo by Isaac Lawrence/AFP Photo)

Members of Myanmar's vovinam team warm up before competing in the vovinam event at the 32nd Southeast Asian Games (SEA Games) in Phnom Penh on May 6, 2023. (Photo by Mohd Rasfan/AFP Photo)

A fan watches the pre-game before an NFL football game between the Indianapolis Colts and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers Sunday, November 26, 2023, in Indianapolis. (Photo by Darron Cummings/AP Photo)