Mázejuavku—The Sámi Artist Group. Lecture with Susanne Hætta

In 1978, eight young Sámi artists formed the Mázejoavku—The Sámi Artist Group. They were among the very first educated artists from the Nordic countries’ indigenous group, the Sámi. It felt urgent for them to “return home” after the completion of their art education, “home” being the Northern Sámi area where their roots come from. They formed a collective with workshops in the Sámi village of Máze/Masi. In times of increasing awareness and resistance to assimilation policies and discrimination, combined with struggles for self-government and land rights, the art of Mázejoavku played a crucial role—both for Sámi society, in shaping the majority’s understanding of their struggles, and for other Indigenous peoples, who saw the Sámi's fighting spirit. During their five active years as a group, the Mázejoavku made an impact in the art world, with the members also playing important roles in the forming of Sámi art organizations.

Susanne Hætta (b. 1975) is a Sámi writer, curator, photographer, and artist. She lives in Čáhcesuolu/Vadsø on the Norwegian side of Sápmi. The main focus of her books are Sámi artists and Sámi society. As an artist, Hætta has expressed herself through photography, graphic prints and installations, often reflecting her identity connected to the landscapes of her family. As a member of Dáiddadállu—Sámi Artist Network in Guovdageaidnu/ Kautokeino, she was represented at Sámi Dáiddaguovddáš, the Sámi Center for Contemporary Art in Kárášjohka/Karasjok in the ten- year anniversary exhibition for Dáiddadállu. Hætta’s books about the internationally renowned Sámi artists, Mari Boine and Synnøve Persen, drew attention to her photographic and written work.

In 2020, she published the book about the pioneers in the Mázejoavku/The Sámi Artist Group from the late 1970s and early 80s. Her next two books are about Finnmarkseiendommen— Finnmárkkuopmodat, the Finnmark Estate (2026), and sauna cultures in Norway (2025).

Photo: Vidar Knai, 1970