Artwork description:

"The Horus Eye" is a macro photo of Cladonia Stellaris lichens, captured in the forest of Sweden in 2021.

The photo is part of the "ALIEN COLLECTION," which is dedicated to lichens and their wonderful qualities.

The lichen is an organism created by the symbiosis of the algae cells and the fungus. The algae produce food through photosynthesis, and the fungus gives protection and provides nutrients and water for their combined survival.

The collaboration is so good that it allows lichens to survive where many other organisms cannot, even in open space (an experiment led by Leopoldo Sancho from the Complutense University of Madrid, 2005).

Such survival possibilities of lichens are very impressive, and they are provided by the tough mineral coating of lichens and their many layers of special structure.

For me, it was very exciting to see in this photo an ancient Egyptian symbol of protection—the Eye of Horus - that is "drawn" in the outline of upper drop and lichens. Like Nature itself telling us the story about the Lichens.



🏆 The "Alien collection" brought me to the final of the Arte Laguna Prize 16 and my artwork "Inside the Drop" is 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 60 x 80 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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