Descriptions of some artists
( b. 1944 ) is from Årosjokk outside Kiruna where he now works.
Having inherited skills from his father, Erik Knutsson Sunna, he opened
his own handicraft workshop in 1968 after being trained as a furniture maker.
He has been influenced in great measure by the old legends surrounding the
Saami mythology. He has created new and startling forms but at the same time
has retained a basis in the traditional Saami shape symbolism with its mediaeval
oriental influences. Lars-Levi Sunna produces a wide variety of handicraft,
ranging from small Snowbirds in horn to large groupings of sculptures for
public display.
( b. 1942 ) has, since the age of 14, been a full-time handicraft artist.
He is possibly the most well-known of the Sunna brothers. He is highly productive
and is regarded as one of the leading figures amongst the Saami handicraft
artists. Thore is the first Saami artist to have his handicraft on display
in the Swedish National Museum. His most reknowned items are the so called
"Kings' knifes": two all-horn knifes made for King Olav V of Norway
and the Swedish Carl XVI Gustav for them to cut the ribbon at the
opening of the "Nordkalott" road between Kiruna ( Sweden ) and Narvik ( Norway
) .
( b. 1937 ) only became a professional handicraft artist in 1973. Previously
he had tried a variety of careers such as reindeer herdsman and miner. Encouraged
by his brothers' success, he started to do handicraft as the most traditionally
oriented of his family. His work has a genuinely traditional form showing
a powerful influence from his father.
( b. 1927 ) from Kaitum, works in horn and wood and has developed over
the years into a knife specialist. His work is a fine example of northern
Saami handicraft.
( b. 1968 ) is the son of Nikolaus. His blend of schooling and natural
talent has made him one of the foremost Saami handicraft artists.
( 1916 - 1985 ) from Kaitum and
Johan Fankki ( b. 1920 ) are both sons of the
legendary Jon Pålsson-Fankki ( 1880 - 1961
). They have continued the family handicraft tradition, and passed it on
to Johan's sons Magnus Fankki ( b. 1946 ) and
Torsten Fankki ( b. 1950 ). It is
impossible to assign a monetary value to the works of Jon Pålsson-Fankki
between 1895-1930, which are regarded as true museum pieces. It is the dream
and desire of every true Saami knife collector to be the owner of a genuine
"J P-F" knife.
( 1872-1951) from Sjiska is undoubtedly the central figure in the history
of Saami art. Skum crafted, wrote, sculpted, drew and painted with authenticity
and feeling unmatched at that time.
( 1908 - 1982 ) from Kaitum, was the
foremost wood carver of his time, specializing in magicians' drums, salt
flasks, water dippers ( "kåsor" ) etc. Andreas is also regarded as
one of Lapland's classical handicraft artists. He is the father of
Esias "Esse" Poggats ( b. 1937
) who is one of the most influential handicraft artists of our time.
( b. 1932 ) from Jokkmokk is a prominent figure of long standing
within the Saami culture where he has made innovative contributions to painting
and handicraft. He is also a great storyteller and performer of the traditional
Lappish singing style called yoik.
( b. 1926) from Jokkmokk worked
for 37 years at the Saami people's high school in Jokkmokk, then resumed
handicraft work in his retirement. He works primarily with horn in traditional
southern Saami patterns with an exuberance of carving far out of the ordinary.
( b. 1932 ) from Jokkmokk, married to Bertil Andersson,
is an outstandingly prominent wickerwork using root fibres.
( b. 1957 ), the son of Bertil and Ellen, is also a great handicraft
artist showing a strong influence of his father's southern Saami background.
(b. 1966), one of the forecomming generation Saami handicraft artist.