Welcome Tomas Colbengtson to Artica Svalbard

We are delighted to welcome Sami artist Tomas Colbengtson to Artica Svalbard, where he will be based throughout March and April 2025.

Nominated for his residency by the Queen Sonja Print Award, which he won in 2024, Colbengtson’s work explores the impact of colonialism on indigenous communities, with a particular focus on the Sami people. Born in Björkvattnet, Sweden, his artistic practice draws on Sami history and collective memory. His printmaking often employs materials that cast shadows, reflecting themes of visibility, loss, and resilience within indigenous cultures.

In addition to being an artist, Colbengtson is a lecturer and curator. He co-founded the Sami artist residency Sápmi Salasta, and is a co-curator of the touring exhibition Arctic Highways, which brings together indigenous perspectives from across North America and Europe. His work is held in prominent collections including the British Museum (London), the National Museum (Oslo), and the Sami Parliament of Norway.

While in Svalbard, Colbengtson will observe both the local environment and community, with a particular interest in the reindeer population. These reflections will inform his ongoing artistic exploration of Sami identity and the complex relationship between indigenous cultures and the natural world.

We’re excited to follow his journey and look forward to the conversations and perspectives his presence will bring.