HELSINKI.- Jointly presented by Kiasma and the S醡i Museum Siida, We Who Remain brings together contemporary artworks by S醡i artists and works engaging with S醡i life across S醦mi, spanning Finland, Sweden, and Norway. The exhibition opened at Kiasma on March 27, 2026, with selected works on view at Siida in Inari beginning in October.

In recent years, the Arctic has drawn growing international political attention—not only for its strategic importance, but also for its abundant natural resources. As global interest in the region intensifies, the voices of its Indigenous peoples have been sidelined—echoing earlier history, when the S醡i homeland was divided by imposed nation-state borders that continue to shape the region today.

Divided S醦mi

The S醡i are the Indigenous people of northern Europe. Their homeland, S醦mi, long predates the emergence of Nordic nation-states and their national ideologies, spanning present-day Norway, Sweden, Finland and Russia. The S醡i are part of the broader family of Arctic Indigenous peoples, and their traditional culture is grounded in fishing, hunting, reindeer herding, gathering, and S醡i handicrafts (duodji).

We Who Remain presents contemporary art that explores S醡i identity from within the community. Featuring more than twenty artists, the exhibition focuses primarily on works from the 2000s to the 2020s, while also including a selection of earlier pieces, the oldest dating to the 1970s. Across these decades, the S醡i community has fought for recognition under Nordic law and for greater awareness internationally.

“Contrasts are ever-present in S醡i contemporary art. The works convey the sensitivity and emotional depth of S醡i life, while also revealing the forces that have hardened us and shaped us into survivors,” says curator Petra Laiti.

Toward reconciliation

The exhibition is especially timely following the release of the final report of Finland’s S醡i Truth and Reconciliation Commission, submitted in December 2025 to the Finnish Government, the S醡i Parliament, and the Skolt Village Assembly. Containing 68 recommendations to improve the status of the S醡i people, the report underscores Finland’s responsibility as a country founded on the homelands of two peoples. Attention now turns to translating these recommendations into meaningful action.

“This joint exhibition represents a new form of cooperation that could be further expanded between Finns and S醡i,” says Laiti.

As Kiasma Museum Director Kiira Miesmaa notes, contemporary art creates space for multiple narratives and amplifies voices too often left unheard.

“This exhibition is one way of making space for S醡i voices. I am delighted that we are able to present it in collaboration with the S醡i Museum Siida and curator Petra Laiti,” says Miesmaa.

Taina M醨et Pieski, Director of the S醡i Museum Siida, emphasises the significance of Helsinki hosting a comprehensive exhibition of S醡i contemporary art.

“Contemporary S醡i art and duodji (traditional S醡i crafts) are experiencing a renaissance and attracting great international interest. I am very pleased that Kiasma accepted our proposal for collaboration, enabling us to present a curated selection of works at Siida, in S醦mi,” says Pieski.

Laiti further highlights the broader context shaping the exhibition: “Although the Arctic is receiving unprecedented global attention, the status of the peoples who live there is not necessarily improving. Critical issues—including land rights and the exploitation of natural resources—risk being overshadowed by NATO-related debate. These challenges affect Arctic Indigenous peoples such as the S醡i and Inuit alike, making it all the more essential that our stories are told and our voices heard.”

Featured artists: Siri Baggerman, Tomas Colbengtson, Marja Helander, Rose-Marie Huuva, Berit Marit H鎡ta, Johdet x Pirak, M醨j� Karlsen, Hans Ragnar Mathisen, Britta Marakatt-Labba, Joar Nango, Outi Pieski, Katarina Pirak Sikku, Raisa Porsanger, Jorma Puranen, M醨et 羘ne Sara, Eveliina Sarap滗, Hilde Skancke Pedersen, Katarina Spik Skum, Lena Stenberg, Lada Suomenrinne, Arvid Sveen, Tapio Tapiovaara, Nils-Aslak Valkeap滗, Niillas Holmberg, Pekka Aikio