A young woman, long hair flying, clutching a brilliantly coloured bouquet of balloons appears to be carried aloft by the wind in this tabletop sculpture by Derya Ozparlak. Known for her provocative work, the Turkish born artist creates finely detailed steel sculptures designed to represent our desire to flee the shackles of modern capitalism.

"Since I began working in Canada, the metaphor of the balloon concept has developed. When I observed a downtown area, it was dominated by skyscrapers. I always saw the same problem with white collar workers. They were in a rush, working very hard so I said to myself, they are living in an invisible prison and that has never changed." -Ozparlak

Since completing a BFA from the Anadolu University in Turkey, Ozparlak has exhibited in group and solo shows in Canada and internationally in Italy, Spain, Turkey, Lebanon, and the US. She now lives and works in Toronto. Ozparlak's highly detailed sculptures are held in private and corporate collections in Canada and internationally in Istanbul, Berlin, and Capri.