Animal conservation and colonialism are central themes to his work, and Steiger’s time in France also allowed him to delve further into these multifaceted subjects. Visiting the Parc Zoologique and the Gallery of Paleontology and Comparative Anatomy at the French National Museum of Natural History abounded fruitful new territory in which to examine the point of tension in objectifying wild animals as sculpture. “Violence. Everywhere was the conquest of ‘man’, always with his foot over the lion’s throat. Or with a spear clenched tightly in the serpent. I’m afraid there is a pattern here that is not unique to Paris. But resultantly - it seemed to me that nature was something to be looked at through glass, or it was something enjoyed on the plate.”

The subsequent body of work, titled Wild Horses, delves into these complex themes. “This work is more emotional than it has ever been. Colors from this series feel just like the clawing marks from behind the glass of the barricades at the zoo. Animals that want out,” suggested Steiger.

Overall, the experience solidified the artist’s resolve concerning conservation. “If we want to protect our world, and ensure that our children are able to see up close the wild world that was here long before us - then we need to do a much better job of considering her in our day to day actions.” As a consequence, Steiger spent his first days back in the US visiting Joshua Tree and then on to Colorado, to reconnect with the landscape. “I realized what abundance we have here. I don’t want to take that for granted.”