The piece is a tribute to the Arctic and the unique species that inhabit it, many of which are among the most threatened by global warming.
As glacial ice disappears and the Arctic environment rapidly shifts, these animals face a future where their survival becomes increasingly uncertain. Each one has evolved to thrive in a harsh, specific habitat, and as that landscape fades, so does their chance to endure. The title, Midnight Sunset, plays on the nickname for Alaska, often called the "Land of the Midnight Sun," evoking the eerie and poetic sense of a sunset that never quite ends.
The animals are shown together in a rich, imagined Arctic paradise. At first glance, it feels hopeful and full of life. But look closer, and you’ll see they are enclosed within the outline of a transparent polar bear skull. This image serves as a reminder of the silent threat that looms over them all. The polar bear, one of the most vulnerable species in the region, becomes both guardian and warning.
This piece includes the following Arctic species:
Polar Bear
Beluga Whale
Puffin
Harp Seal and Pup
Spotted Seal
Lemming
Arctic Hare
Brown Trout
Capelin (silver fish)
Cutthroat Eel
King Crab
Through Midnight Sunset, I hope to celebrate the beauty and resilience of these creatures while also sparking reflection on what we stand to lose. Every element in this painting carries a message of urgency and reverence for our natural world.
Andrea Guzzetta