Gunnar Engellaus v 8
41878 Göteborg
Sweden
f r o m
November 2025
t o
February 2026
this website is where the stories are told, complementing the real life exhibition, where the artworks are on display
we encourage you to visit the exhibition, for the complete experience
now, if you scroll down, you can read and enjoy their stories
this website looks better in light mode
Кт о не бывал в чужих краях, т от не знает своей земли
Anton was born in Moscow, in the USSR.
His portrait is inspired by his passion for air travel, which was awakened when he took his first flight abroad with his mom, after the Soviet Union collapsed and borders opened.
“I was 8 or 9 years old when we flew to one of the Canary Islands. The view of the magnificent Atlantic Ocean and the powerful volcano was a blast on my young mind used to a grey city jungle” – he recalls.
Travelling abroad in the early years helped him understand the diversity of life and cultures and build his own values.
As a teenager, Anton collected his air tickets and boarding passes to keep memories of those remote destinations he had the privilege to visit. That’s right, some of them can be seen on his portrait!
Anton was photographed at the airport in Landvetter. He continues to explore the world, with many countries visited and more to follow.
Nikad dosta sevapa
Aziz was born in Donji Kamengrad, Bosnia.
His grandpa worked in the mines. Despite the tough life underground, grandpa cherished the magical melodies from his accordion. Later, he would give young Aziz a small accordion, planting a seed that still lives today.
When the family arrived in Sweden, the accordion became the first bridge to the new land, connecting his father and local people with music.
Aziz is holding a red accordion, like the one his father used to play. As each generation evolves, Aziz now plays the keyboard yet telling the same story with the same magical tones from Bosnia.
Behind him is a stylized representation of the clock given to his grandpa as a token of appreciation for years of labour in the mines. A treasured item Aziz keeps with him.
Aziz was photographed at his home in Göteborg.
O maior trem do mundo
Leva minha terra
Leva meu tempo, minha infância, minha vida (Drummond)
Daniel was born in Itabira, Brazil, a major hub of iron ore extraction.
Memories of his birthplace evoke trains, mountains and blossoming ipe trees.
“The mountains solid and silent watching everything. The railroads crossing mountains, carrying iron ore abroad. As a kid, I used to watch the trains and count them, wagon by wagon; the trains going away to somewhere I could not imagine” – he tells us.
Now, in Sweden, he walks new paths in a new land. The mountains still echoing in his mind, recalling family; the railways speaking of movement. For him, one is home; the other, journey.
Daniel was photographed at the construction site of the new tram line in Lindholmen, in Göteborg.
ప్రతి ప్రయాణం గత జ్ఞాపకాలను మిగిల్చి, కొత్త జ్ఞాపకాలను సృష్టిస్తుంది
Haritha was born in Vijayawada, Andhra Pradesh, India.
Her portrait is inspired by the classic works of Raja Ravi Verma, whose masterpieces left a lasting impression on her.
She holds a lotus flower and wears a special attire: her very own wedding dress! “Back in 2012, my then fiancé was doing his doctorate at Chalmers – in order to join him, we decided to get married” – she explains.
She continues: “The serene divinity and the grand heritage of the historic temples bring back childhood memories. I recall the ponds filled with lotus flowers and the architecture of these temples amazed me”.
Having lived in Sweden for many years, she appreciates the person she has become: “This country has taught me to value life; it has brought me a sense of balance and inner calm that I deeply cherish without losing my roots”.
Haritha was photographed at the Risvedens Naturreservat, in Älvängen.
Apapacho Abrazar con el alma
Manuel was born in Mexico City, Mexico.
With him is Borrego, the first plushie his wife gave him. The curly sheep fur reminding her of Manuel’s curly hair. “Receiving Borrego was the beginning of the greatest thing: a beautiful person had opened her heart and life to me” – he recalls.
His wife used to rescue stray cats, so he learned a thing or two about cats. “Actually, everything!” – he laughs.
They live with eight cats and two more will be on their way soon.
“They are our family; they have been with us for 15 years” – and concludes, referring to his wife – “I don't know anything about the future, but the thing I know is that as long as we still choose each other I'll have the will and the compass to walk whatever road is ahead – even across the universe”.
Manuel and Borrego were photographed at their home in Göteborg. The cats refused to participate.
نفس باد صبا مشک فشان خواهد شد
عالم پیر دگرباره جوان خواهد شد
Saba was born in Tehran, Iran.
Her name comes from Persian poetry, meaning “morning breeze”. When choosing her name, her family opened the poetry book Hafez – the very one she is holding – and a verse came up, from which her name was taken.
Saba was photographed at her home in Göteborg. Her portrait is inspired by “Young girl reading”, an artwork by French painter
Fragonard.
A small reproduction of that panting was hung in her mum’s library, and before that, in her grandmother’s library. It is now in Saba’s home.
And, in case you wonder, the fellow horse with her is Rakhsh, also a character from a Persian poem, Shahnameh.
Musik uttrycker det som inte kan sättas i ord och det som inte kan förbli tyst (V. Hugo)
Simon was born in Örkelljunga, Sweden.
Music has been a big part of his life – “No matter what your mood is, there is always a certain song or piece of music that you can connect to, elevating the moment” – he says while holding his guitar.
Simon wears his most treasured piece of jewellery: a pendant in the shape of a bear, a reminder of his father who passed away a couple of years ago. His name was Björn, the Swedish word for “bear”.
Simon and his siblings refer to their kind father as “Papa Bear”, whenever they recall past experiences with him.
Simon was photographed at his home in Lundby, in Göteborg.
By the way… Björn is also his middle name!
.jpg?etag=undefined&sourceContentType=image%2Fjpeg&ignoreAspectRatio&resize=55%2B33&quality=85){kind=small}
Batho ba lemogana loetong
Simon was born in Nuneaton, in the UK.
When the financial crash hit back in 2008, his then fiancé was offered a fantastic opportunity in Botswana, fulfilling a dream she'd had since she was seven years old.
One humungous decision later, Simon found himself living with her in a tent in the Okavango Delta, Botswana, away from any human contact.
Together they set up the charity 'Elephants for Africa’.
They got married in the bush, surrounded by close friends and family. All guests wrote their best marriage tips on a slip of paper and popped them into a traditional Botswanan basket. The very one you can see behind him.
Simon was photographed in The Näst, in Torslanda. His portrait is inspired by the Reverspective aesthetics of Patrick Hughes, his beloved British artist. With personal touches: the ceiling of his home, his favourite golf ball texture and the Okavango Delta. Of course!
مرا طریق امیری نہیں فقیری ہے
خدی نہ بیچ، غریبی میں نام پیدا کر
— علامہ اقبال
Sonia was born in Lahore, Pakistan.
Seeking meaning and peace within, she cultivates a quiet connection with spirituality.
Her portrait is inspired by the imperial Badshahi Mosque, of which the vast stillness and light evoke a sense of inner calm.
Sonia wears traditional Pakistani clothes. The sunlight softly filters through, revealing the intricate geometric patterns of the mosque’s ceilings. With her, two cherished possessions: the watch once worn by her mother and a ring.
“The watch makes me feel my late mother’s presence. It gives me courage” – she tells us and continues – “The ring, my husband’s first gift, is a symbol of our bond”.
Sonia was photographed at her home in Tuve, Göteborg.
Chitsva chiri murutsoka
First, there was Dzimba-Dzemabwe, then Zimbabwe and then came Susan to be in the city of sunshine, Harare.
Which memories are the dearest? Could it be the soothing melodies of the Mbira, a traditional musical instrument that calms any soul? Perhaps the imponent baobab trees standing tall and proud, sheltering The Big 5 from the scorching sunny sky? You surely would not forget The Zimbabwe Bird, a symbol so grand, the emblem of the land.
But there is more. What about the majestic scenery behind Susan? Yes, you guessed right, those are the Zimbabwean pride, the Victoria Falls!
Susan was photographed outside her home in Högsbo, in Göteborg.
人本自具足
Yuqi was born in Baotou, China. She likes nature and gardens.
Monet, one of her favourite painters, inspires the light and textures reimagined in her portrait. With a personal twist: magpies and magnolias on the water – beloved symbols in traditional Chinese painting.
Have you noticed the ring on her finger? A ring carries the circle continuous nature, symbolizing unity and completeness. That ring was a gift she gave herself on her 29th birthday. A reminder that she is already whole.
“We are inherently whole - like a leaf, a magpie, a pond, a ring. This is nature. This is Zen” – she says.
Yuqi was photographed in the Botaniska Trädgård, in Göteborg.
11 people
11 countries
11 stories
11 months in the making
it started with a questionnaire
about the individual and their identity, culture and memories
then they were photographed
each photo is the central piece of each individual portrait – together, the eleven portraits form the final artwork
then the portraits came to life
individual photographs reimagined as digital artform, combining photography, digital techniques and painting expression
meet the artist
Hejsan! I am Davi: Brazilian by birth, Swedish by choice, Engineer by profession, Artist by destiny.
I first attended to an art school when I was 10 and, as an adult, studied Fine Arts in college level.
I started with drawings and oil painting and, later, added engraving and photography.
I migrated to digital artforms, combining photography, digital techniques and painting expression.
This is my third Swedish art project and first individual exhibition. Welcome!
disclaimer no humans were harmed in the making of this project : no AI was used : this is a labor of love
