Making Friends 

Lucia Heffernan created this contemporary painting called ‘Making Friends’. Heffernan is known for imbuing animals with human traits. Through her paintings, Heffernan explores themes of human nature and social dynamics. The artwork depicts a polar bear cub looking up at an arctic tern that is carrying a fish in its beak. Polar bears are apex predators, and arctic terns are migratory birds, therefore, ‘Making Friends’ stages an unlikely encounter. Here Heffernan disrupts traditional representations by creating a tender scene that crosses species. The emotional impact of seeing a polar bear cub, vulnerable and curious, invites questions about how we connect with nature and each other. The artwork subtly addresses environmental concerns and the impact of climate change on animal habitats. ‘Making Friends’ also invites viewers to reflect on their relationships.