Original artwork

In this gentle, luminous scene, Galina Stetco explores the idea of inclusion through the pure gaze of a child. Free from societal norms, judgments, and learned expectations, the child approaches the fish with tenderness — just as one might pet a cat or a dog.

This simple gesture becomes a powerful symbol: without conditioning, human beings are naturally open, curious, and willing to embrace what is different. The artwork suggests a broader reflection on how we might welcome other cultures, other beings, and the unfamiliar if we were guided first by compassion instead of convention.

With her soft palette, delicate handling of light, and signature emotional sensitivity, Stetco invites us to return to that early state of innocence where humanity expresses itself through kindness.