Exhibition opening: Melrakki & presentation: Fire, Ice and Survival: The Arctic Fox of Iceland

You are invited to the opening of the Melrakki exhibition and a special lecture about the Arctic fox at the National Park Visitor Centre in Hellissandur.

The Melrakki exhibition consists of eight large photographs of the Arctic fox in its natural environment. The images provide a unique insight into the life of this resilient animal in the Icelandic wilderness, while also creating an opportunity for discussion and education about the fox and its status in Iceland. To mark the exhibition opening, will give an engaging presentation about the Icelandic Arctic fox from Ester Rut Unnsteinsdóttir wildlife ecologist.

Phil Garcia is a French professional photographer living in Flateyri, in the Westfjords of Iceland. His photographs have been awarded in international contests and exhibited in the major European nature photography festivals. Since 2013, Phil has studied and documented the harsh life of the Arctic fox (Vulpes lagopus) in Iceland. He has worked closely with the Nature Institute and Ester and published Melrakki, the surviving Arctic fox.

Phil is also the owner of a travel agency specialised in photography tours (Explographe.com). He organises tours to share his knowledge and philosophy with photographers who want to learn about Icelandic wildlife and its conservation, and photograph it in an ethical way.

Ester Rut is a wildlife ecologist at the Natural Science Institute of Iceland where she is responsible for monitoring the native Arctic fox. Ester and her team established The Arctic Fox Centre in Westfjords in 2010 in order to raise awareness and make Arctic foxes important as attraction in wildlife tourism. Ester has studied the Arctic fox population in Hornstrandir nature reserve for almost 30 years and has worked closely with Phil Garcia as well as other photographers and documentary producers throughout the years.