Painted by the 30-year-old artist, Blum is the first of the 60 bears to be unveiled, offering a glimpse of what’s to come. Inspired by Michael Rosen and Helen Oxenbury’s much-loved children’s book We’re Going on a Bear Hunt, the project will run from July to September 2026, with 30 large Bears and 30 Bear Cubs appearing across the borough of Dartford.
The trail is led by ellenor, the hospice charity supporting families across North Kent and Bexley, in partnership with Dartford Borough Council and Wild in Art, creators of sculpture trails worldwide.
For artist Ana Zoob, painting the Hero Bear has been more than a commission – it reignited her passion, opened new creative directions and brought her into partnership with ellenor for the first time.
Ana’s journey began long before she turned the plain white fibreglass bear into a bold, expressive sculpture. She studied history at Cambridge, threw herself into theatre and events, then went on to a master’s in printmaking at Camberwell. But the real turning point came in 2020.
“If I had to pick one moment when I knew I wanted to be an artist, it was during COVID,” Ana recalls. “The pandemic gave me a massive gift: time. I headed home to Sussex, went into my mum’s studio, and that’s when I properly started painting. That’s when it clicked.”
Since then, Ana’s practice has developed along two contrasting, yet complementary, strands.
On the one hand, intricate, black-and-white steel etchings of twisting cityscapes. These drawings often include landmarks and lanes plucked straight out of our towns, but with impossible twists and turns; picture plunging drops and staircases that lead to nowhere. “They can be playful,” Ana explains, “– or a bit nightmarish!”
The other extreme of Ana’s style? Expansive abstract oil paintings inspired by nature’s canvases: from flowing rivers and gushing waterfalls to beaches and meadows.
“Living in the world feels so contrasting,” Ana says. “It’s easy to go between fear and horror; awe and delight. Both are true. My cityscapes capture the cold, harsh, human-made nightmare, while the paintings call to mind bigger forces – nature, things larger than us. We’re reminded that we’re just a little momentary blip that will eventually turn to dust. Sometimes, feeling small can be a relief.”
Blumbrings both sides of Ana’s practice together.
Bold, vibrant colours inspired by Dartford’s rivers and wetlands form the backdrop, while drawings of everyday houses and streets weave across the bear’s surface.
“The colours were originally meant to be muted, but they ended up vibrant (hopefully appealing to the youngest participants of the trail). And I love drawing ordinary buildings. Drawing lets me connect with places I might otherwise overlook – and hopefully will help people on ellenor’s wild art trail do the same.”
The result is a sculpture that celebrates Dartford’s nature and architecture in equal measure. Blum sets the tone: joyful, playful, and public.
“I want it to feel celebratory and welcoming,” Ana explains. “Something children and families can approach straight away and immediately feel a part of.”
Like all 60 sculptures in the trail, the Hero Bear is part of a project that goes beyond art for art’s sake. For ellenor, the Bear Hunt is about demystifying hospice care, building pride in Dartford, and – through sponsorship and a closing auction – raising vital funds.
Its theme is resilience: echoing We’re Going on a Bear Hunt, where each obstacle – thick mud, cold rivers, dark forests – must be faced head-on. You can’t go over it, you can’t go under it – you have to go through it. For families across Dartford, North Kent and Bexley living with serious illness, that symbolism is powerful.
The bear has also served as a symbol for Ana, too – a lifeline pulling her back into painting.
“I’d been feeling lost and wasn’t making much work. I didn’t know how to create more accessible art that could bring something positive to people. The bear was a gift – it got me back into the studio and refocused my attention, while working with acrylics opened a whole new way of painting for me.”
As for the wider ripple effects of ellenor’s wild art trail on demystifying hospice care for the local community, Ana is both humbled and energised to be playing a key role.
“ellenor’s wild art trail is hugely important, and a massive honour. To be given the chance to do what I love and bring something positive in multiple ways feels amazing. As an artist, it’s hard to know how to give back. To be given the opportunity to create art that raises money for charity feels wonderful.”
Unlike sculptures in a gallery, Ana’s Blum is made to be touched.
Instead of being hidden behind gallery doors, the sculptures will live in parks, streets, and shopping centres – inviting everyone, from families with young children to older residents, to pause and connect. To watch as familiar places are reinvented before their eyes, and to reflect on the stories of ellenor’s patients and families – local people facing the most challenging time they’ll ever go through in their lives.
I’d love to encourage people to touch the bears. Painting 3D meant I engaged with the bear physically in a way I don’t with flat work. The shape informed how I painted. And outdoors, the weather, sounds, and setting all become part of the experience. It’s art people can stumble across in their everyday lives.”
As for Ana, the Hero Bear has already opened new doors. And, going forward, she hopes to translate the skills gained into outdoor murals, site-specific works and even 3D landmarks.
ellenor is on the lookout for local and national artists to design and decorate the remaining big bear sculptures. Artists can apply at dartfordbearhunt.co.uk/artists/ and those selected will receive a commission of £1,000.
Ana’s advice to other artists looking to get involved? Simple.
“Do it! It’s my favourite project I’ve done. Your work will be enjoyed by so many, and it can raise money for an amazing cause. Painting 3D is a challenge, but it will teach you new things about your practice.”
Asked what she hopes the trail leaves behind, Ana doesn’t hesitate:
“I want people to find a new, enjoyable way to engage with their town – with pride and ownership. That it inspires more public art projects, builds relationships between businesses and artists, and encourages children to take themselves seriously as artists. And of course, more awareness of ellenor’s incredible work.”
The trail is led by ellenor in partnership with Dartford Borough Council and Wild in Art, and made possible thanks to the support of Bluewater, Walker Books, Lupus Films, Fastrack, Pillory Barn, Pentagon Transport and others – with more expected to join as excitement builds ahead of 2026.
Visit dartfordbearhunt.co.uk or email dartfordbearhunt@ellenor.org to find out more, or explore how you can get involved below.
- Businesses can sponsor a bear for £6,000 + VAT.
- Schools and community groups can join in by raising £750 to design and paint a cub
- Artists can apply to design and decorate a bear.
- Submissions close 21 November 2025.
To find out more about Ana Zoob’s work:
🌐 Website: www.anazoob.com
📸 Instagram: @anazoobart