Stefan Yngvi Petursson | Artist | Germany
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.
Since beginning his ‘artivist’ career, Stefan has connected and collaborated with a number of non-profits and ocean advocates. Styngvi is the winner of our OCL Grant 2022 ‘Protect’ category, and will be using his artivist skills to create a series of artwork and illustrations in protest of Icelandic whale hunting. He hopes to educate the local community in a different and engaging way, and aims to inspire conservation efforts and end the fin whale hunt. His project is called ‘let them live’, with the call to action being to sign and share a petition banning whaling in Iceland, which will be delivered to the Icelandic Ministry of Fisheries by the end of the summer.
Be sure to keep an eye on this important project…
“Art has the power to open people's hearts and minds and can be a catalyst for a significant impact on the world… I hope my illustrations can give a visual voice to further environmental and social justice causes and plant seeds for a more sustainable lifestyle so all species can have a future on this planet.”
What is a typical day like for you?
During the pandemic, I have spent most of my time in my home studio. I'm either sitting by the drawing board and working on new illustrations or packaging print orders to ship out to fellow ocean enthusiasts. Usually, I have an ocean-themed documentary running in the background, since I am currently living in a landlocked city. As soon as I am able to travel again, I would love to relocate to a coastal city with easy access to the ocean. Taking a daily walk by the coast and hearing the waves crashing brings me peace.
What are the fondest memories from your upbringing that you feel impacted your life choices and lifestyle today?
I grew up in a small coastal town and spent countless hours playing by the coast. Some of my earliest artwork that my grandmother kept until this day includes different species of fish, whales, and other marine creatures. To this day, I have a profound appreciation for the ocean, animals, and nature which is the main focus of my artwork. My grandmother also nurtured the activist in me, teaching me critical thinking and to stand up for what I believe in.
“It’s vital that we restore balance with nature. With my artwork, I try to re-establish that connection we have to nature and fellow earthlings while living in a world that constantly attempts to disconnect us from it.”
Are there any books/documentaries that have guided your thinking?
Documentaries that inspired a lot of my work include Chasing Coral, A Plastic Ocean, and Blue Planet. The work of Sylvia Earle is also a huge inspiration to me.
What brings you the most joy?
Knowing that I am able to use my artistic skills to promote positive change brings me a lot of joy. I also enjoy the little things in life, such as good food, moments shared with friends and family, and the smell of the ocean.
What do you value most in life?
Other than the most obvious answers such as family, friends and freedom, I would say that I value biodiversity and the right of every animal to exist as a part of the natural ecosystem.
What advice would you give to anyone looking to follow their dreams as an ocean Storyteller?
Storytelling can be done in many different ways, so find a medium that you truly enjoy to match your passion for the ocean.
