Britta Marakatt-Labba. Moving the needle

For half a century, Britta Marakatt-Labba (b. 1951 in Idivuoma, Sápmi) has been one of Sápmi’s most central artists. The exhibition “Sylkvasse stitch” is the largest exhibition of her artistry to date, and shows textiles, graphics, installations and sculpture from the extensive business. 

In the exhibition you can experience her first sketches and drawings, which have never been shown before, and iconic works such as Garjját/Crows (1981) and Girdi noaiddit/Flying Shamans (1986). Central to the exhibition is the monumental main work  Historjá , a 24 meter long embroidery in which she depicts scenes from Sami history, mythology and everyday life.

Since the 1970s, Marakatt-Labba has distinguished himself as a very special voice in the Nordic art world. With needle and thread in various materials and thicknesses, she patiently builds up her image world and reflects elements from Sami everyday life and history. She conveys a universe of stories linked to her own experiences from Sami life and culture, with a message that we must preserve natural resources. 

For the National Museum’s exhibition, she has created a completely new work with a strong warning against the hunt for minerals linked to mining in her home town of Kiruna, and the industrialization of society in nature. Myths, dreams and faith are also important themes in her pictures, which are often characterized by a humorous undertone.