Welcome to the opening of Kväänibiennaali – Kvenbiennalen 2025 – Työ / Work

In the wake of the work done by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, the “Kven Spring”, and the official apology by the Norwegian state for the injustices of its harsh Norwegianization policy, the Kven Biennial Kväänibiennaali 2025 is the first exhibition at Nordnorsk Kunstmuseum to feature work exclusively by artists with Kven heritage artists.

Kväänibiennaali 2025 shows artworks by Eili Bråstad, Markus Lantto, Ingebjørg Vatne, Rina Charlott Lindgren and Inger Emilie Solheim. The thematic framework for the exhibition is work. Work can be a goal-oriented activity, requiring patience and willpower. But the Kven word for work työ contains within it the word yö which means night. Whereas the earlier editions of the biennial have partly focused on the “lightness of being” and the pure excitement of being at this early stage of a kven art movement, this edition seeks to go deeper into the intricacies of the mind and what it means to construct an identity.

The biennial is a collaboration between Kväänitaitheiliijat - The Kven Artists Association and Nordnorsk Kunstmuseum and will be shown in Tromssa/Tromsø, Alattio/Alta, Vesisaari/Vadsø and Longyearbyen. Exhibition tour period: 15.03.2025-30.09.2026.

Join us for a historical moment at Nordnorsk Kunstmuseum.

Exhibition opens: March 15th 14.00
Location: Nordnorsk Kunstmuseum, Tromssa / Tromsø
Kari Helene Skog from Tromsø municipality will open the exhibition
Musical performance: Fredrik Samba Njie Einevoll
The opening is free and open for all

In relation to the opening, there will be an open seminar on kven art on Sunday March 16th 13.30-15.45 at Nordnorsk Kunstmuseum. There will be a panel talk with the artists and curators, and presentations. Separate facebook-event with programme will be launched. Open for all.