This piece was inspired by my family’s personal experience and by a famous painting. However, I changed many things to accommodate my medium of metal and used traditional ornamental border designs. This is one of the first pieces I did upon arriving in the United States and settling in North Dakota as a refugee. It has lots of meaning to me and to other Armenians because Mary was with a child and had to flee to protect him like my wife and I had to flee in order to protect our children. The Madonna was a refugee, like us. I made her look like she is running. She symbolizes the sacrifice and love that mothers give to their children. This piece is promised to my daughter, Anya.
