Viktor and Inna Iadne

 Material: Wood - Cider tree, bone- deer antler.

Dimensions: 45 × 12 × 19 cm 

Technique: Bone and wood carving 

Year: 2025

Description:

The composition by Viktor Yadne, carved from reindeer antler, is not just sculpture — it is an entire world enclosed within a natural form. The master treats the antler as living matter, in which the breath of the tundra and the eternal motion of northern life become visible.

On one side, a rushing reindeer team races across the snowy expanse. Behind them rise the traditional tents, while around spreads the tundra with grazing herds. This scene symbolizes the path, the nomadic rhythm of Nenets life, the inseparable bond between human and reindeer, and the animal’s role as the guardian of existence.

On the other side of the antler, the artist depicts fishermen with a rich catch and the shimmering silver of the water. This scene reflects the generosity of the elements, which grant both sustenance and life, as well as the mystical value of water as a source of strength and renewal. Here the fishermen appear not only as laborers, but also as mediators between humankind and the water element, which governs the cycles of life.

The entire composition grows out of its base — a wooden idol embodying the four directions of the world. It is an ancient image of the Universe, where earth, water, air, and fire merge into one. From this idol rises the antler, like a living tree of life, carrying upon it the scenes of earthly existence.

This sculpture is at once a work of art and a protective talisman. It embodies the idea of the eternal cycle of life, the balance between human beings, nature, and spirits. It is a bond with the land, with ancestral memory, with the traditions of the Indigenous peoples of the North. Yadne transforms natural material into a mystical symbol: the antler becomes the axis of the world, uniting past and present, the sacred and the everyday, reality and myth.

Materials: wood — walnut, bone —zevka (buffalo bone).
Dimensions: 43х20х26,5 cm.
Technique: carving in bone and wood.

Year: 2024. 

Description:
This expressive composition is crafted from reindeer antler and wood, combining the strength of natural materials with the deep mythology of northern peoples. The antler is shaped as a sail raised above a wooden boat — a symbol of the human journey across the waters of life and spirit.

On the sail are depicted two fishermen — dynamic, focused figures holding a rich catch. Among the fish are sacred sturgeons, symbolizing wisdom, strength, and abundance. On one side of the sail unfolds the scene of their triumph and reverence for nature’s gifts; on the other, the visage of an ancient water deity, protector of rivers and seas, bestowing fishermen with generous catches. From the deity’s hands flows a cornucopia, pouring forth the gifts of the water element — fish, seaweed, and pearls.

The sail stands on a mast carved in the form of the ancient world tree — the symbol of the seven worlds. Along the mast are idols guarding the fishermen: spirits of the underworld, the human world, and the higher heavens. They protect the travelers from the wrath of the water element and accompany them on their journey — from world to world, from river to ocean.

The composition “Gifts of the Gods” is not merely a decorative object but a living myth captured in material form. It speaks the language of nature and spirits, preserving the traditions of the northern peoples and their reverence for water as a source of life, strength, and abundance.

Material: Walnut wood, reindeer antler
Size: cm
Technique: Bone and wood carving
Year: 2023

Description:
This composition, carved from reindeer antler, is a unique work of art that blends elements of traditional Nenets carving with the symbolism of shamanism. The intricate design depicts mythical creatures and natural elements significant to Nenets culture.

On the antler’s surface, the silhouette of a shaman is surrounded by spirits of nature—reindeer, birds, and plants. These figures symbolize the deep connection between humans, the natural world, and the spiritual realm. Patterns resembling northern ornamental motifs frame the central figures, creating a sense of movement and rhythm.

Every detail is crafted with exceptional precision, highlighting the artist’s skill and his profound connection to the traditions of the Nenets people. This work is not only elegant, but also rich in meaning, reflecting the depth of Nenets culture and spirituality.

 Materials: reindeer antler, wood
Technique: carving in antler and wood
Dimensions: 37х37х12,5

Year: 2025

Description:
This sculpture depicts a shaman in a deep trance — a sacred moment of connection with higher powers in the name of peace, well-being, and prosperity for his people. Suspended between worlds, the figure appears to float above the earth, transcending the material realm and entering the space of spirit.

In one hand, the shaman holds a drum — his primary tool for journeying between worlds. Carved onto the drum is the sacred deer, a symbol of strength, endurance, and traditional life. In the other hand is a beater shaped as a raven, a spiritual guide and messenger helping him reach the higher realms.

On his head, he wears a headdress in the form of a hawk — a bird of speed and sharp vision in the spirit world. His back is guarded by intricate carvings of humans, sacred animals, and ancestral warriors — clan guardians standing behind him as a shield of lineage and inherited strength. They accompany and protect him on each spiritual journey, shielding his soul from invisible threats.

At the center of his back is a spiral — an ancient symbol of mental clarity, pure intention, and the ability to always find the path home. His arms bear sacred birds, spiritual helpers in the other world. On his belt hang protective talismans: arrows, harpoons, and a traditional Nenets knife — all symbolic weapons guarding against evil forces and destructive spirits.

The entire figure is encircled by an aura carved from wood — a dome of light representing the shaman’s home, his protection, and his spiritual compass. It shelters his spirit and helps him stay on the righteous path, always moving toward the light.

“Messenger of the Spirits” is not merely a sculpture, but a ritual narrative embodied in material. It tells a story of belief, strength, tradition, and the invisible guardianship offered by ancestral spirits and the forces of nature.

Material: Walnut wood, reindeer antler
Size: cm
Technique: Bone and wood carving
Year: 2023

Description:
The sculpture “Num” by Viktor Yadne is crafted from reindeer antler and depicts the Nenets deity who descended to Earth in the form of an old man. This intricate and detailed carving conveys spiritual power and wisdom, serving as a reminder of the sacred spirit and the unbreakable connection to ancestral traditions.

The face of the elder radiates serenity and timeless wisdom, while the antler material itself symbolizes nature’s strength and the harmony between human and environment.

Num embodies the cultural heritage of the Nenets people and their deep reverence for tradition and the spirits of their ancestors.

Materials: bone — buffalo leg bone (zevka), wood — walnut
Dimensions: 11.5 × 12.5 × 12 cm
Technique: bone and wood carving

Description:
The author’s sculpture “Unity” is a philosophical composition that embodies the spiritual connection between cultures, nature, and time. Hand-carved from buffalo bone and walnut wood, the piece presents the image of a shaman in a dual form — as a bridge between worlds and as a symbol of cultural intersection.

On one side stands a shaman of the Lenape people, wearing a ritual mask and protective attributes essential for spiritual journeys and deep meditative states. His figure reflects wisdom, power, and the deep roots of North American indigenous tradition.

On the other side, the shaman appears in the sacred mask of the deer, representing Nenets culture. He is accompanied by sacred totemic spirits — loons, ermines, and other revered animals — who guide and protect him on his spiritual path. This side of the sculpture is filled with the spirit of the Arctic, a deep harmony with wild nature, and a reverent connection to ancestral knowledge.

The walnut base is carved in the shape of a woman's face — a representation of Mother Earth. It serves not only as a foundation for the composition but also as its conceptual center, uniting two cultures, two continents, and two visions of the world into a single whole.

“Unity” is not merely a work of decorative art; it is a profound symbol of respect for cultural heritage, the interweaving of traditions, and the harmony between humanity and the natural world.

Material: Wood (walnut), bone - deer horn, shells.
Size: 3 × 5 × 4 cm.
Technique: Bone and wood carving.
Year: 2023

Description
The sculpture “Lonely Wanderer”, created by Viktor Yadne, is an expressive bone artwork. It depicts a person in a moment of deep reflection and search for his life’s path. The figure embodies inner struggle and the aspiration for self-discovery.

The wanderer stands with his head held high, gazing into the universe, symbolizing hope and the desire for new revelations. His delicate features, such as the graceful lines of the face and body, convey a sense of vulnerability and inner strength. The bone used in the work lends the sculpture a warm, natural tone, enhancing the feeling of closeness to nature.

The background of the sculpture may be minimalist so as not to distract from the central subject, emphasizing his solitude and search. This work evokes a wide range of emotions, encouraging the viewer to reflect on their own paths and the meaning of life.