Anna-Brith Arntsen and Solveig Labba
Jienaid Samis by Anna-Brith Arntsen is a series of intimate portraits, in paintings and sculptures, of powerful and proud Sami personalities and identities from all over Sapmi, of artists, politicians, musicians and activists. On canvas there are personalities such as Ella Marie Hætta Isaksen, Silje Karine Muotka, Aili Keskitalo and Joar Nango. Amongst the busts in stoneware, resin and plaster is a portrait of Hans Ragnar Mathisen.
A central work in the exhibition is a historical painting: a monumental group portrait measuring 1.8 m x 2.1 m of eight young Fosen activists from Natur og Ungdom and young Sami people in Tromsø, including Elle Nystad. This piece is the result of a year’s work and countless meetings and conversations with the activists.
All the exhibited works are based on encounters with live models in her studio or while travelling.
Anna-Brith Arntsen is a painter and sculptor with roots in classical figuration. She has a solid education from The Florence Academy of Art as well as the mentorship of Odd Nerdrum. With her academic background she is able to concentrate on the essence of the human being, penetrating the surface and trying to grasp states of mind, the transition between these and human dimensions.
In recent years Arntsen has participated in major exhibitions at home and abroad and has created artwork for public and private clients. For a number of years she has also run her own art school for private students at her studio and is eager to continue the classic figurative tradition.
Solveig Labba
I am a duojár (craftsman), a pre-school teacher, a handicraft teacher, a mother, wife, aunt and sister-in-law and reindeer herder. I was born and raised in Övre Soppero where I have been imbued with duodji since childhood. I grew up in a reindeer herding family that made everything needed for the family and for sale. Many of the handicraft techniques I learned from my parents: leather tanning, leather sewing, fur sewing, weaving, sewing costumes with accessories and sewing footwear, both winter gaiters and leather.
I have also improved myself by attending various duodji courses at the Sami Utbildningscentrum in Jokkmokk (leather/textile, wood/horn) and at the Sámi Allaskuvla in Kautokeino, as well as many short courses in different duodji techniques. Today I run my own duodji company where I sew. My speciality has become sewing traditional and newly designed garments and accessories.
I also hold duodji courses, run duodji camps, give lectures, the art of storytelling, and handicraft thermology for children,young people and adults. Together with Gunvor Guttorm I have written the book Ávdnasi’s duodjin mjukslöjdterminmer in Northern Sami.
I enjoy challenges like interpreting traditional items into something new. I took a course with a milliner where I tried a new way to shape a bonnet. I immersed myself in different Sami costume bonnets, their history, shape, choice of fabric and use, and how bonnets look today. Based on the traditional bonnets, I have designed bonnets with my own interpretations using a technique that milliners use, which differs from how a seamstress sews her hats. The milliner steams the material and then pulls it onto a wooden template. When the material has dried, it can be decorated. For this exhibition I have made a few bonnets using the milliner’s working methods.
