Artwork description:

NAVEL

This is a macro photo of a Cladonia Stellaris lichens with a raindrop in it, captured in the forest of Sweden in 2023.

Can you see the navel of the raindrop that is laying on the lichen's branches?
Navel is our source of life at the very beginning of our story.

Cladonia Stellaris lichens are the main food of the reindeer that my native people, the Chukchi, breed. And reindeer, in turn, are everything to the Chukcha people: food, clothes, and shelter. Thus, lichens gave life to my ancestors, and now these tiny organisms have given new life to me as an artist.

Lichens are my navel…


The photo is a part of the "ALIEN" collection, which is dedicated to lichens and their fractal beauty and wonderful qualities.

🏆 The "Alien collection" brought me to the final of the Arte Laguna Prize 16 and my artwork "Inside the Drop" was showcased at the finalists' exhibition at the Arsenale of Venice from March 11 to April 16, 2023.


PRINT INFORMATION:

* Medium: Giclée print on Canson Fine Art paper
* Edition size: Limited to 3 copies
* Details: Signed and numbered by the artist, accompanied by a Certificate of Authenticity
* Dimensions: Image size 80 x 100 cm
* Shipping: Sent rolled in a durable mailing tube (10 cm diameter).


ABOUT THE ARTIST:

Inna Etuvgi is a Swedish-Chukchi art photographer whose work explores the delicate balance between nature, humanity, and technology. Growing up in the remote Arctic, where survival depends on sensitivity to nature’s smallest signs, Etuvgi developed a deep respect for the fragile ecosystems she now captures in her art.

Living with Aphantasia—an inability to visualise mental images—Etuvgi turns to nature to reflect her inner landscapes, using her camera and digital art to externalise emotions and sensations. Through her macro photography, she magnifies the intricate details of nature's smallest elements, urging viewers to see their beauty, quiet resilience, and essential role in sustaining ecosystems. Her work highlights our bond with nature and challenges the human-centred worldview, reminding us of the interconnectedness of all life and encouraging a more mindful, compassionate relationship with the natural world.

Beginning her artistic journey in 2020, Etuvgi was internationally recognised as a finalist for the Arte Laguna Prize in 2022 and received a grant from the Swedish Arts Grants Committee in 2023. As art critic Tabish Khan notes, “Her work transports us to other worlds—both real and imaginary, but always in harmony with nature.”

Materials used:

fine art paper, archival pigment inks

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