Kartografen

The Sami multi-disciplinary artist Keviselie or Hans Ragnar Mathisen (Elle-Hánsa), was born in Narvik in 1945, and grew up in Sálasvággi (Tromsdalen, Troms valley), with roots in Deanodat (Vestertana) in Finnmark.

He currently lives in Romsa (Tromsø). Mathisen was educated at the Norwegian School of Crafts and Design, Oslo (1971-73) and the Norwegian Academy of Fine Arts, Oslo (1973-79). Mathisen was a member of the legendary Mázejoavku: Sámi Dáiddajoavku (Sami artist group) from 1978 to 1983 in Máze (Masi). Mathisen has maintained a diverse artistic practice, having worked with painting, print-making, drawing, maps and illustration in addition to working as a writer and festival organizer.

Since making his professional debut at the North Norwegian Art Exhibition in 1969 and the Autumn Exhibition in 1970, Mathisen has participated in solo and group exhibitions at home and abroad including at Documenta 14 in Athens and Kassel (2017). His most recent solo exhibition was during the Tromsø International Church Festival in 2020. His oeuvre can be defined primarily as artistic activism, advocating for Sami rights, cultural expression and autonomy. The Cartographer takes its title from Mathisen's richly illustrated maps which were produced between 1975-2019. These maps are devoid of local or national borders, and use Sami place names, which he has often researched and rediscovered after they have been removed by the various nation states since the 17th century.

The maps are complemented by a selection of graphic works that are strong in symbolism and often inspired by traditional Sami mythology and petroglyphs. The exhibition includes the film The Cartographer by director Marek Ranis which documents Hans Ragnar Mathisen's life and work. Mathisen has dedicated his creative life to defending indigenous cultures and rights, both in Sápmi and the rest of the world. This exhibition shows us the struggle indigenous peoples face as they bear witness to massive and catastrophic environmental change, while working to maintain their distinct and diverse lifestyles and cultures. Mathisen's boundless map of Sápmi guides us through questions about migration, the nation state and exploitation of natural resources.

Director Kristoffer Dolmen and assistant curator Laila Labba from the Sami Center for Contemporary Art have curated the exhibition, which is produced in collaboration with the Oslo Kunstforening.

This exhibition is part of the national exhibition and educational program Voi voi, vi er på utstilling!, a collaboration between Norske Kunstforeninger / Norwegian Art Associations and Sámi Dáiddaguovddáš / Sami Center for Contemporary Art where ten contemporary artists from Sápmi are presented with a solo exhibition each in ten Kunstforenings / Art Associations around the country. Voi voi, vi er på utstilling! is supported by the Sparebankstiftelsen DNB, Arts Council Norway, the Sami Parliament and Fritt Ord.