Let Them Live: An Illustrator's Story
Stefan, (Artist name: Styngvi), first picked up a pencil when he was a toddler. However, it wasn't until his mid-20s, during a study exchange in Indonesia, that he combined his artistic abilities with his passion for the ocean. Growing up in a small coastal town in Iceland, Stefan spent countless hours playing by the coast, and he claims this shaped his artistic journey and is the origin of his love for the ocean.
In this exclusive interview, we asked Stefan more about his recent project “Let Them Live”. A project which focuses on banning whaling in Iceland.
When did you start illustrating?
Drawing has always been a big part of my life and how I express myself. In middle school, I was known as the kid who could draw amazing Pokémon illustrations. Not much has changed since then. When I was 10 years old, I was passionate about Pokémon. And now 20 years later, I am passionate about whale and ocean conservation.
How do your illustrations spread awareness?
The topics I cover in my illustrations aren’t something people typically enjoy discussing or being reminded of. Climate change, arctic melting, and the collapse of the marine ecosystem aren't exactly fun topics. But they are important.
Art can break down barriers and reach more people than research papers do. I approach these topics in a way that is both beautiful, educational, and sometimes confronting. I want my artwork to get people thinking about these issues and hopefully encourage them to take action in their own way.
I spread my illustrations in various ways. The easiest way is by resharing my posts on social media. I also sell my artwork as prints and on merchandise, which allows people to bring a bit of artivism to their everyday lives and spark conversations on the matter.
What is your favourite piece from the Let Them Live campaign illustration series?
If I had to choose one piece as my favorite, it would be the birch wood piece. This piece has a deeper meaning beyond just the visual artwork. It's a response to one of the most common misconceptions that non-Icelanders have about whaling, which is that it's an old Viking tradition.
In reality, the act of whaling is barely mentioned in the Icelandic sagas.
To address this misconception, I wanted to create something that has a true root in Icelandic history. So, I commissioned a custom magical stave from the words 'protect the whales' and engraved it into the wood. According to tradition, this will ‘activate’ the stave and its power to protect. This piece represents not only my Icelandic heritage but also my passion for protecting the marine ecosystem through my artwork.
What future illustrations do you have in mind?
Right now my dream project is to create a large outdoor mural in Iceland that depicts the crucial role that whales play in our ecosystem. As a nation, Iceland has a complicated relationship with whaling, and I believe that a powerful visual reminder of the importance of these creatures could be a meaningful way to encourage positive change with the locals.
