Setanta Books has published "Signs," a compelling photographic monograph by visual artist Marta Bevacqua that documents her eight-year journey to the remote Arctic archipelago of Svalbard. The project traces the evolution of a childhood dream that began when Bevacqua read a novel about the region at age twelve. Between 2016 and 2024, she returned to Svalbard five times, always during the harsh winter months, drawn by the landscape's stark beauty and constant transformation. The resulting collection blends landscape photography with symbolic elements to create a meditation on humanity's relationship with nature. The work reflects how early inspiration can develop into a sustained artistic investigation.

Each visit to Svalbard revealed new aspects of the Arctic environment, from the depths of polar night to the first tentative return of sunlight. Bevacqua experienced dramatic shifts in weather and terrain, documenting snowstorms, melting ice, and the ever-changing coastal landscapes. In a place where nature dictates the rhythm of life, nothing remains static for long. Her work captures this impermanence while reflecting on deeper themes of memory, solitude, and the fragile balance between human presence and the natural world. The photographs demonstrate how repeated exposure to the same location can yield entirely new artistic perspectives.

Bevacqua's imagery incorporates symbolic elements that emphasize the human dimension of her Arctic exploration. A recurring motif features a red sweater marking human presence against the vast white wilderness. The photographer also experimented with polaroid techniques and created surreal visions of the Arctic moon, adding layers of mystery and introspection to the documentary work. These artistic choices transform the book from a simple travelogue into a profound visual meditation on silence and time. The combination of techniques creates a multi-layered narrative that speaks to both personal experience and universal themes.

What began as a childhood fantasy fulfilled evolved into something far more meaningful for the artist. Svalbard became a personal refuge—a place of return and reflection that grounded her creative practice. The photographs reveal how sustained engagement with a landscape over many seasons deepens understanding and emotional connection. Bevacqua's work suggests that true artistic insight comes not from brief encounters but from committed observation across years. The Arctic setting provides a powerful backdrop for exploring ideas about isolation, endurance, and adaptation.

The physical book measures 260 x 220 mm and features a hardback binding with 128 pages containing 89 images. Published at a price of £69.00, the monograph offers readers an immersive experience of the Arctic journey. A special edition accompanies the standard release, with each print available in a limited run of 20 numbered and stamped copies. These special editions include a numbered artist label personally signed by Marta Bevacqua, making them highly collectible for photography enthusiasts. The production quality reflects the significance of the artistic achievement.

"Signs" represents a significant contribution to contemporary landscape photography and environmental art. The project demonstrates how personal passion can evolve into a sustained artistic investigation that resonates with universal themes. Interested readers can find the book through Setanta Books and explore more of Bevacqua's work via her official photography website. The monograph stands as both a fulfillment of a childhood dream and a mature artistic statement about humanity's small but significant place in the natural world. It challenges viewers to consider the marks we leave on the environments we explore.