ABOUT THE ARTWORK

Captured in New York, Gozin’a photographs a man standing motionless as a real snake slowly climbs his leg. Created in a single frame, without digital manipulation, the image holds a quiet yet undeniable tension: a meditation on the power of the mind to redefine meaning in the presence of the unknown.

At the centre of the work lies the symbolism of theserpent. In Western tradition, it is often associated with fear, danger, and deception; in Eastern philosophy, it represents wisdom, renewal, and transformation. The same symbol carries radically different meanings depending on where one stands.

This photograph sits precisely within that tension.

The man does not react. He remains still, allowing the moment to unfold. In that stillness lies the central idea of the work: the power to define meaning belongs to the individual.

In its final form, the artwork is physically torn and reconstructed by hand, fragmenting the image so that the face, eyes, and body no longer align. This deliberate disruption transforms the photograph into a meditation on perception itself—reflecting the fractured nature of identity, memory, and interpretation.

What appears threatening may in fact be transformative. What we fear may simply be what we have been taught to fear—and at times, what we fear most may ultimately become one of our greatest blessings.

Ultimately, Guts Over Fear asks: when confronted with the unknown, do we default to fear or faith ?! Guts over fear, just like light over darkness, will always win.

Artwork is printed under the supervision of the artist. Archival print on museum-grade paper.
Signed and numbered by the artist.
Certificate of authenticity issued by the artist