Photography has the power to tell stories, reveal deep emotions, and capture fleeting moments that would otherwise fade with time. Photographer Chiara Zonca understands this well, and with her project Saved by a Deer, she takes us on an intimate and evocative journey where art intertwines with nature to explore the theme of inner healing.
Four years ago, Chiara Zonca decided to move to a small island off the coast of British Columbia, following an instinctive search for peace and renewal. Her move was not only geographical but also spiritual and mental—she felt the urgent need to heal from depression, a condition she could no longer ignore. Immersed in the island’s untamed beauty, she found a powerful ally in nature. The forest, the sea, and the primal elements began offering her the sensory and emotional richness necessary for her healing process. Daily activities such as forest bathing, plunging into cold waters, and seaweed gathering became true rituals, triggering profound inner reflections.
Saved by a Deer is a collection of self-portraits, botanical images, and poetry that reflect the artist’s experience in her new habitat. The chromatic sensitivity of her photographs and their dreamlike atmosphere invite the viewer to immerse themselves in a nearly surreal world, where the connection between humans and nature becomes tangible. In her shots, Zonca masterfully captures the landscape’s magic with a delicate aesthetic, made up of soft lighting, natural tones, and a sense of contemplative stillness. Through Saved by a Deer, Chiara Zonca reminds us how essential the bond between humans and nature truly is. Her work invites us to rediscover a sense of wonder for untouched spaces, encouraging us to reconnect authentically with our environment and, in turn, with ourselves.
Her project thus becomes an inspiration for all those seeking a return to their roots—a moment of pause from the chaos of modern life and an invitation to rediscover inner balance through the observation and interaction with the natural world.
