Sápmi Triennial

A large and varied selection of Sámi contemporary art and duodji, traditional Sámi handicraft, fills the very first Sápmi Triennial. In summer 2026, the exhibition will be shown at Kin, where visitors can encounter the richness and vitality of Sámi cultural heritage through works by twenty-eight artists. The works highlight themes deeply rooted in tradition and identity, as well as the challenges of contemporary life.

The Sápmi Triennial is the result of a collaboration between seven different organisations operating within and outside Sápmi. An open call for entries was published in autumn 2023, and from among the 100 applications, twenty-eight artists’ works were selected for the exhibition, which includes duodji, video, installation, photography, painting, textiles, ceramics, and literature.

Participating artists: Anna-Stina Svakko, Charlotte Nilsen, Christin Løkke, Eiril Linge, Elina Waage Mikalsen, Eva Kitok, Geir Tore Holm & Søssa Jørgensen, Gjert Rognli, Gunvor Guttorm, Hanne Grieg Hermansen, Hans Ragnar Mathisen, Helena Lagerqvist Kuoljok, Helmi Aletta Hagelin & Nuura Naboulsi, Inga-Wiktoria Påve, Inger Blix Kvammen, Jorunn Løkvold, Jouni S. Laiti, Kirsi Paltto, Katarina Spik Skum, Maarit Magga, Matti Aikio, Monica L. Edmondson, Odd Marakatt Sivertsen, Reetta Tornensis, Susanne Ewerlöf and Tilde-Ristin Kuoljok.

The selecting jury consisted of three artist members from the board of Sámi Dáiddaguovddáš (SDG, the Sámi Centre for Contemporary Art), the director of the Kin Museum of Contemporary Art, Maria Lind, and Ulla Viitanen, curator at the Rovaniemi Art Museum.

The exhibition is a collaboration between the Kin Museum of Contemporary Art, Dáiddaguovddáš (SDG)/Sami Centre for Contemporary Art (Kárášjohka/Karasjok), Rovaniemi Art Museum (Roavvenjárga/Rovaniemi), Nordland Museum & Bodø2024 (Bådåddjo/Bodø Art Museum26), as well as Oulu2026 and Oulu Art Museum. The triennial opened in Bådåddjo in August 2024, after which the exhibition has been shown in Kárášjohka, Roavvenjárga, and Oulu. It is part of Kin’s multi-year thematic threads The Critical Zone and Hand, Heart and Brain.

Image 1: Sápmi Triennial, Rovaniemi art museum
Image 2: Matti Aikio
Image 3: The Braid, 2023 av Monica Edmundson
Image 4: Kirsi Maret Paltto Jávkatgo mii? : Do we disappear? 2023.
Image 5: Sápmi-trienal-karasjok