Opening Friday, December 5 at 18:00

We are pleased to announce our upcoming exhibition at the Sami Center for Contemporary Art (SDG). The exhibition is a collaboration between SDG and the Sámi Parliament’s Acquisition Committee for Contemporary Art and Duodji, showcasing the committee’s acquisitions from the period 2023–2025.

Visitors will experience a rich collection of Sámi contemporary art, featuring 66 works created by 38 artists from across Sápmi.

Grethe Gunneng, chair of the Sámi Parliament’s Acquisition Committee, shares the following about the collection:

“The Sámi Parliament’s Acquisition Committee for Contemporary Art and Craft 2023–2025 has aimed to include a wide range of artistic expressions from across Sápmi for the future Sámi Art Museum. The acquisitions span exquisite duodji works in wood, bone, silver, and textile – through watercolor, painting, printmaking, and drawing, sound and video works – to small and large installations in various materials.

A unifying concept for this acquisition exhibition can be described as ‘time images.’ We live in a time of increasing environmental and climate change, abrupt political shifts, and ongoing pressure on Sámi tradition and culture. In this reality, it feels especially important to preserve and maintain traditional knowledge, while also reflecting on and commenting on the present and the challenges we face.”

The Sámi Parliament’s Acquisition Committee consists of two members, both active Sámi artists, elected for two-year terms. SDG’s biennial exhibition presents the current committee’s acquisitions and marks both the conclusion of their term and the beginning of a new one. The Sámi art collection now comprises over 1,600 works and is housed in the Sámi Dáiddamagasiidna – the Sámi Art Repository – at RiddoDuottarMuseat in Karasjok. The purpose of the collection is to safeguard works of particular artistic significance within Sámi contemporary art (dáidda) and craft (dáiddaduodji), as well as key reference works. Artistic quality, experimental and innovative works, and new forms of expression are central to the committee’s work in shaping a Sámi art collection for the future Sámi Art Museum.

SDG is proud and grateful to serve as the exhibition venue for the Acquisition Committee and to invite the public to such a comprehensive and powerful art experience – a meeting with vital artistic voices from across Sápmi.

A separate press viewing can be arranged prior to the opening. Please contact Director Line Kalak at line@samidaiddaguovddas.no or by phone at +47 916 88 521 to schedule a press visit, interview, or for other inquiries.

Photo credits:

1: RDM/ Per Asle Sara

RDM/ Håkon Holmgren Gabrielsen
RDM/ Håkon Holmgren Gabrielsen
RDM/ Håkon Holmgren Gabrielsen
RDM/ Håkon Holmgren Gabrielsen
RDM/ Håkon Holmgren Gabrielsen

The exhibition opens on December 5, 2025, and runs through February 15, 2026.

The following artists’ works have been acquired during this period and are featured in this rich exhibition:

John Savio

Siri Baggerman

Per Isak Juuso

Lena Stenberg

Elisabeth Thorsen

Charlotte Nilsen

Iver Jåks

Trygve Lund Guttormsen

Britta Marakatt-Labba

Lars Pirak

Hans Ragnar Mathisen

Ansgar Ole Olsen

Ramona Salo Myrseth

Rose Marie-Huuva

Kristin Tårnesvik

Anders Sunna

Jon Tomas Utsi

Nils-Johan Labba

Ilmari Tapiola

Per Ola Utsi

Sami Laiti

Randi Marainen

Anders Sunna (1937) Duojár

Torsten Fanki

Per-Stefan Idivuoma

Olavi Sakari Saijets

Jostein Venås

Elina Waage Mikalsen

Gjert Rognli

Lova Isabelle Lundberg

Anna C. Sjursen

Josef Halse

Ingunn J. Moen Reinsnes

Synnøve Persen

Per Heimly

Sissel M Bergh

Lene Westerås

Laila Labba