In 2022, the city of Pietrasanta invited artists to create works using a violin as a theme or medium to coincide with the summer music festival. These pieces were auctioned to support those impacted by the war in Ukraine. Although I was unable to participate at the time, I was deeply inspired by the concept.

The result is "Phoenix," a violin that emerges from a cardboard construction into a finished instrument. It is set upon a piece of cardboard typical of those used by the homeless, featuring a message asking for help and a busker’s hat for donations.

To me, the violin is a universal instrument, played by street performers for loose change and by concertmasters leading symphony orchestras. "Phoenix" represents this journey, emerging from the ashes of the streets to the concert hall.